ANATINiE - THE DUCKS — AIX. 



13 



The Wood or Summer Duck is by far the most beautiful and graceful of all the 

 North American Anutida; and indeed has no superior in any water. It is widely 

 distributed over the North American continent from Southern Mexico to Hudson's 

 Day, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. It breeds abundantly from Texas 

 to the liritish Trovinces. 



Eichardson stati'S that the Wood Duck is quite rare in the Fur Countries, and 

 is never found farther north than the 54th parallel. Mr. Murray, however, men- 

 tions finding it on th ■ western side of Hudson's Bay, in a locality some six degrees 

 farther north than this limit. It is, however, very rare north of latitude 50°. ]Mr. 

 Konnicott mentions meeting with several small flocks of this species, in the latter 

 ])art of September, north of the Ked lliver, in Minnesota. They were feeding on the 

 wild rice, in company with immense flocks of Mallards, Widgeon, and Teal. IMr. 

 J. A. Allen met with this species in Northwestern Kansas, in May, in the neighbor- 

 hood of Fort Hays, and he afterward found it quite numerous in the valley of Salt 

 Lake in Utah. A single specimen only — a female — is recorded by Major Wedder- 

 burn as having been taken in Uerniuda, in December, 1846. 



According to the observations of Dr. Cooper, the Wood Duck is abundant in Cali- 

 fornia, and is a resident throughout the winter in the lower districts. It migrates, 

 in April, toward the north, and returns southward in October. Dr. Cooper is not 

 sure that any go to the extreme southern part of that State, having never met with 

 any there, but infers it as probable, inasmuch as they extend their migrations on 

 the eastern coast as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. According to Mr. Dresser, the 

 AVooil Duck is not merely a migratory visitor to Southern Texas, but is a resident, 

 and not uncommon, near San Antonio during the summer. He obtained a fine male 

 on the San Pedro, April 23, 18G4, and one at Fort Stockton, April 19. According 

 to Mr. Lawrence, Colonel Abert met with this species near IMazatlan, in Western 

 Jlexico. It is (juite common in all the Dritish Provinces, in New England, and 

 l)r()bably in nearly all parts of the Union, even to Florida. It is given by Dr. Gund- 

 lach as resident in and breeding in Cuba. Mr. Mcllwraith s])eaks of it as abundant 

 near Hamilton, C. W., and in the West generally, and breeding aU over the country. 



In Long Island, according to Giraud, the Wood Duck is very seldom seen on the 

 open bay, preferring the still ponds and shady creeks, where it finds an abundant 

 supply of its favorite food, which consists chiefly of insects, seeds, and heaves of 

 plants. In the fall it feeds freely on acorns, with which its stoma(!h is often found 

 to be stuffed full. It is known as the Summer Duck from its remaining through 

 that season, and the Wood Duck by others, because it frequents wooded regions, 

 and breeds in the hollow of trees. Its beautiful plumage and its quiet and gentle 

 character make it (juite a favorite in many i)arts of the country; and it is not 

 unusual for i)ersons residing in suitaljle situations to invite its presence by pre- 

 paring boxes and other convenient places for it to nest in. The Wood Duck usually 

 keeps in small parties, and moves about in pairs. It was formerly frequently taken 

 in nets, and sent to market ; but this exterminating process is noAV discouraged, and 

 in many States is forbidden by law. 



According to Wilson, the Wood Duck winters as far north as Virginia, and he 

 states that he has met with individuals near Petersburg in January. In Penn- 

 sylvania the female is said to begin to lay late in April, almost invariably in the 

 hollows of trees, sometimes on a broken branch. Wilson says that this bird occa- 

 sionally constructs its own nest of sticks — a statement not accejited by Audubon. 

 It is not improbable that — like some other Ducks — this species may make use of the 

 deserted nest of a Crow or a Hawk. 



