52 



DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF' NORTH AMERICA. 



Genus AIX Boie. 



AIX SPONSA (Linn.). 

 Wood Duck. Summer Duck. 



Adult male : Bill, red, marked with rose-white, and a black stripe ou the middle of the 

 upper mandilde aud tip; under mandil)le, ))lack; head, with decided crest, which shows white, 

 metallic green, and purple; a narrow superciliary line from the hill to the occiput and another 

 stripe of white behind the eye, extending to the n.ape ; chin and throat, white, extending up- 

 wards in a streak on sides of the head to the ear coverts ; sides and front of the lower neck 

 and under breast, purplish chestnut, dotted with wliite spots; under parts, white, sides some. 



(Feinalu.) 



(Male.) 



times grayish, showing taint pencilling of dusky lines; upper parts showing Ijronze-green and 

 l)urple ; speculum, bluish green edged with lilack and white. 



Length, 18..50; wing, 9..50; bill, 1.40. 



AiJult female : Crest, small, but the feathers somewhat lengthened ; head and neck, gray- 

 ish, whitening on the chin and front of the eyes; front of the neck and breast, pale brown, 

 mottled with grayish; the breast showing numerous brown spots, which fade away on the 

 lower breast; belly, white. 



Length, IS; wing, 9.80; bill, 1.3.5. 



This bcuiitifLil Duck ranges from the Gulf of Mexico and Cuba northward 

 to Hudson's 15ay, breeding nearly throughout its range. The eggs are pale 

 brownish white, and usually number from seven to fourteen. The nest is 

 placed in a hole in a tree, from which the young are taken, when large enough, 

 in the bill of the parent. The little ones often ciaml)er upon their mother's 

 back and rest there contentedly while she swims a))out in search of food. It 

 is essentially a fresh water duck, frequenting inland ponds and rivers. 



