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THE WOOD DUCK. 



Anas sponsa, Linn. 



PLATE CCVI. Males, Females, and Nest. 



I HAVE always experienced a peculiar pleasure while endeavouring to 

 study the habits of this most beautiful bird in its favourite places of re- 

 sort. Never on such occasions have I been without numberless compa- 

 nions, who, although most of them were insensible of my presence, have 

 afforded me hours of the never-failing delight resulting from the contem- 

 plation of their character. Methinks I am now seated by the trunk of a 

 gigantic sycamore, whose bleached branches stretch up towards the hea- 

 vens, as if with a desire to overlook the dense woods spread all around. 

 A dark-watered bayou winds tortuously beneath the maples that margin 

 its muddy shores, a deep thicket of canes spreading along its side. The 

 mysterious silence is scarcely broken by the hum of myriads of insects. 

 The blood-sucking musquito essays to alight on my hand, and I willing- 

 ly allow him to draw his fill, that I may observe how dexterously he 

 pierces my skin with his delicate proboscis, and pumps the red fluid into 

 his body, which is quickly fiUed, when with difficulty he extends his tiny 

 wings and flies off^, never to return. Over the withered leaves many a 

 tick is seen scrambling, as if anxious to elude the searching eye of that 

 beautiful lizard. A squirrel spread flat against a tree, with its head di- 

 rected downwards, is watching me ; the warblers, too, are peeping from 

 among the twigs. On the water, the large bull-frogs are endeavouring 

 to obtain a peep of the sun ; suddenly there emerges the head of an otter, 

 with a fish in its jaws, and in an instant my faithful dog plunges after 

 him, but is speedily recalled. At this moment, when my heart is filled 

 with delight, the rustling of wings comes sweeping through the woods, 

 and anon there shoots overhead a flock of Wood Ducks. Once, twice, 

 three times, have they rapidly swept over the stream, and now, having 

 failed to discover any object of alarm, they all alight on its bosom, and 

 sound a note of invitation to others yet distant. 



Scenes like these I have enjoyed a thousand times, yet regret that 

 I have not enjoyed them oftener, and made better use of the oppor- 



