Summer Duck. 205 
marshes, but manifest a predilection for the ponds, mill- 
dams and deep muddy streams of the interior; and the same 
is true in more southern latitudes, for they prefer to place 
their nests along the creeks and bayous of the land where 
the orange and palmetto charm the eye with perennial ver- 
dure. 
Between the time of their appearance in March and the 
plighting of their vows at the accustomed trysting-places, the 
sexes consort together in flocks of four or more, but never 
in very large numbers, and fatten on acorns, the seeds of the 
wild oats, and such insects as they can procure from the 
tree-branches or the muddy borders of the streams and 
ponds which they so delight to visit. 
On each recurrence of the mating season there is reason 
to believe that the same couple come together and pledge 
anew their fidelity and affection, unless debarred by death, or 
some other of the many vicissitudes to which life is prone. 
The troth-plight sealed, and a union effected, the happy 
couple soon start off in quest of a spot fora home. In the 
case of old birds the same locality, where no interference 
has been experienced from beast or man, has been known to 
be visited for four successive years. For obvious reasons, 
Wood Ducks delight to live in close proximity to bodies of 
water, such places affording conveniences to the young, when 
they are sufficiently matured to betake themselves thither, 
for food and exercise. Situations remote from water entail 
unnecessary labor upon the female, who is then required, at 
considerable risk and peril, to carry them one by one to the 
pond or stream in her bill, When the distance is not too 
great, and the ground underneath the nesting-tree is amply 
covered with dry leaves and grasses, the young scramble to 
the mouth of the nest, drop themselves down, and under 
the maternal leadership wend their way to the much-loved 
fluid. Often the tree or stub which contains their home is 
found to overshadow the water. All that is necessary then 
is for the tender little creatures, after reaching the entrance, 
