154 cassell's book of birds. 



seeing their enemies below, who thus succeed in throwing a net over them, and capturing a score or 

 so at a single haul. 



THE WOOD OR SUMMER DUCK. 



The Wood or Summer Duck (Aix sponsa) represents a group possessing a slender body, 

 moderately long, thin neck, a large crested head, and a short slender bill, which terminates in a 

 hooked and nail-like tip. In these birds the short powerful foot is placed far backward ; the narrow, 

 pointed wing has its first and second quill longer than the rest; and the very broad strong tail is 

 composed of sixteen feathers, and rounded at its extremity. The plumage of this species is magni- 

 ficently coloured, and forms a crest at the back of the head ; a small space between the eyes and the 

 base of upper mandible is bare. This beautiful bird has the feathers on the crown of head and the 

 cheeks of glossy dark green ; the sides of head and a patch on sides of the neck are purplish green 

 shaded with blue ; the crest is golden green, decorated with two narrow white stripes that commence 

 on the brow ; the sides of the upper neck and breast are bright reddish brown dotted with white ; 

 some of the shoulder-feathers, hinder parts of back, and upper tail-covers, are blackish green ; the rest 

 of the shoulder-feathers, the primary quills, and tail, greenish purple, shaded with blue and glossy 

 black ; some of the exterior tail-feathers are prolonged, and of an orange hue ; the lower tail-covers 

 are brown ; the chin, throat, a band on the upper neck, the centre of the breast, and the belly, are 

 white ; the sides of the body yellowish grey, marked with black ; some of the long feathers on these 

 parts are black edged with white ; the eye is bright red ; eyelid orange ; beak whitish, with reddish 

 base and black tip ; the foot is reddish yellow. This species is seventeen inches and a half long and 

 twenty-seven and a half broad ; the wing measures eight and a half, and tail four inches. The female 

 is somewhat smaller than her mate, and without an actual crest upon her head ; her plumage 

 is deep brownish green on the back, shaded with purple and spotted ; the head is greyish green, 

 neck brownish grey, gullet white, breast white spotted with brown, and belly pure white ; the eyes 

 are surrounded by a broad white line, which passes from thence as far as the region of the 

 ear. The Summer Duck is a native of America, where it occupies the United States, and Llicnce 

 wanders regularly to the central portions of that continent and to the West Indies ; it has also been 

 killed in Great Britain, France, and Germany, but most probably these specimens were not stragglers 

 but birds that had been reared in aviaries. According to Audubon, the flight of the Wood Duck is 

 remarkable for its speed, and the ease and elegance with which it is performed, " It passes," he 

 says, " through the wood, and even among the branches of trees, with as much facility as the 

 Passenger Pigeon, and when removing from some secluded haunt to its breeding-grounds, at the 

 approach of night it shoots over the trees like a meteor, scarcely emitting any sound from its wings." 

 Wilson asserts that these birds seldom fly in parties of more than three or four individuals together; 

 but Audubon expresses his surprise at such a statement from the admired author of "American 

 Ornithology," and assures his readers that he has " seen hundreds in a single flock, and has known 

 fifteen to be killed by a single shot." In disposition the Wood Duck is naturally bold and fearless ; 

 but, if molested, soon becomes shy and cautious. When in captivity it is very readily tamed, and 

 exhibits much attachment to those who feed it. In their natural state these birds subsist upon grain, 

 reeds, delicate shoots of plants, worms, snails, and insects, the latter being gleaned from the trees, or 

 snapped at as they float through the air ; they will also readily devour small reptiles, and a variety 

 of similar fare. When tame, they can be reared on corn or fish, and in fact will eat almost any- 

 thing that may be offered them. The period of incubation commences about March, and at this 

 season the parties separate in pairs and commence their search for a convenient breeding-place. 

 For this purpose a squirrel's or Woodpecker's hole is usually selected as affording all that they 

 require, and into this the female at once creeps in order to make the preparations necessary for the 



