872 



THE SUMMER, OR WOOD DUCK. 



least as far south as Florida and the Mississippi territory, the Summer 

 Duck is known to breed. In the interior they are also found in the 

 State of Missouri, and along the woody borders and still streams 

 which flow into most of the great north-western lakes of the St. Law- 

 rence. The Summer Duck, so called from its constant residence in 

 the United States, has indeed but little predilection for the sea coast, 

 its favorite haunts being the solitary, deep, and still waters, ponds, 

 woody lakes, and the mill dams in the interior, making its nest often 

 in decayed and hollow trees impending over the water. 



SUMMER DUCK. 



Though many migrate probably to the shores of the Mexican Gulf 

 numbers pass the winter in the States south of Virginia. Early in 

 February they are seen associated by pairs on the inundated banks 

 of the Alabama, and are frequent at the same season in the waters of 

 West Florida. In Pennsylvania they usually nest late in April or 

 early in May, choosing the hollow of some broken or decayed tree, 



