KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 225 
Genus AIX Bore. 
(Female.) 
(Male.) 
AIX SPONSA (Zini.). 
Wood Duck. 
Adult male: Bill red marked with rose-white and a black stripe on the middle of the upper 
mandible and tip; under mandible black; head with decided crest, which shows white, metallic 
green, and purple; a narrow superciliary line from the bill to the occiput and another stripe of 
white behind the eye extending to the nape; chin and throat white, extending upwards in a 
streak on sides of head, back of eye; a stripe passing upwards on the side of the head; sides 
and front of the lower neck and under breast purplish chestnut dotted with white spots; under 
parts white, sides sometimes grayish showing faint pencilling of dusky lines; upper parts 
showing bronze green and purple; speculum bluish green edged with black and white. 
Length, 18.50; Wing, 9.50; Bill, 1.40. 
Adult female: Crest small but the feathers somewhat lengthened ; head and neck grayish, 
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, 18; Wing, 9.30; Bill, 1.35. 
This species ranges from the Gulf northward to Hudson’s Bay, breeding 
nearly throughout its range; it is common in the interior of Florida and has 
been taken in Cuba and Jamaica. The eggs are pale brownish white and 
usually number from seven to fourteen. It nests in a hole in a tree. 
