6oo THE WOOD DUCK. 



spring. Acorns are a favorite food in fall, and upon these the birds some- 

 times stuff themselves to repletion. 



Most curious were the nesting habits, with which our fathers were almost 

 as familiar as we are with those of Sparrows. The birds arrived mated in early 

 spring, and in later April, May, or early June, according to latitude, a site was 

 chosen in the hollow of a broken branch of a tree, in a large deserted Wood- 

 pecker hole, or in a central hollow of some tree to which admission was gained 

 through a crevice. Those holes which overlooked water were preferred, but 

 in the absence of these the bride and groom would sometimes take up residence 

 a half a mile from the nearest swamp or stream. Within the chosen hollow, 

 from eight to fourteen eggs, "resembling old polished ivory", were placed on 

 a cushion of grasses, leaves, feathers, and down. Occasionally the entrance 

 to the hole would be so narrow that the female in visiting her eggs was obliged 

 to spend some time in squeezing through. As the female sat for four weeks, 

 the male mounted guard in a neighboring tree and apprised her of approaching 

 danger by a strange cry, "oe-eek" , like the crowing of a young cock. 



When the young were hatched, they instinctively scrambled to the mouth 

 of the hole and tumbled out, or were urged out by the mother, falling either 

 into the receptive water, or upon the carpet of leaves at the foot of the nesting 

 tree. If the distance was too great, the mother would carry the youngsters to 

 the ground in her bill one at a time, until all were out, and then lead them to 

 the nearest water. 



One naturally falls into the past tense in speaking of the Wood Duck's 

 nesting, for while this bird was once easily the most abundant breeding duck 

 in Ohio, it has become positively rare, and no nests have been recently reported. 

 It is difficult to conceive of the abundance of Wood Ducks only twenty-five, 

 thirty, and forty years ago. Dr. Howard Jones of Circleville tells me that 

 thirty years ago these birds were killed in the vicinity by wagonloads every 

 spring. Our chief game warden, Mr. J. C. Porterfield, says that in his boy- 

 hood home in the western part of the state. Wood Ducks flying to and from 

 their nests were one of the most familiar sights, comparable to Robins and 

 Blackbirds. The other day he received from one of his deputy wardens in 

 that same section the head of a male Wood Duck in full plumage, with the 

 request that he have it identified — a task which any twelve-year-old could have 

 performed thirty years ago. 



The fact is that the Wood Duck is verging upon extinction, and its fate 

 is sealed unless it is accorded full protection at once and for a considerable 

 term of years. And why should we, the people of Ohio, sacrifice this jewel 

 of the waters, which might gladden all our eyes for all our lives, for the sake 

 of the insignificant mouthfuls of meat, which only one ten-thousandth of our 

 number might enjoy for a few seasons? Let us, if possible, save the Wood 

 Duck from the perdition to which we have consigned the Wild Pigeon and 

 the Wild Turkey. 



