142 GAME BIBDS OF CALIFOBNIA 



This species is found only in temperate North America and indeed 

 is more nearly restricted to the United States than any other single 

 duck. There is but one instance of its occurrence in Mexico (at 

 Mazatlan). In California the Wood Duck was formerly well dis- 

 tributed throughout the low country west of the Sierras. Now it is a 

 rare local resident of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and 

 westward to the coast, frequenting the secluded, slow-flowing, timber 

 bordered streams and fresh water sloughs, especially in the oak belt. 

 Although permanently resident within the state the species appears 

 to be to a slight extent migratory, moving toward the north in April 

 and southward in October. It is rare in southern California where 

 conditions favoring its existence are now lacking. The southernmost 

 record station for any season is Ramona, San Diego County. 



So conspicuously and distinctively colored is the male of this duck 

 that field marks are scarcely necessary, even for the novice. The 

 green crested head relieved by white stripes, the pure white under 

 surface and chin, the chestnut colored breast, and blue speculum, 

 easily identify the male. Although lacking the bright coloration of 

 her mate, the female displays more color than the females of most 

 other species ; in addition she can be recognized by the white eye-ring 

 and streak behind the eye. 



Wood Ducks seldom stray away from the secluded, wooded streams 

 and sloughs which constitute their habitat. "A mossy log in a pond 

 is a favorite resting place for the ducks, but as you walk through the 

 woods in spring a pair will often fly from a branch overhead, utter- 

 ing their shrill, plaintive cry as they dart through the trees" (Bailey, 

 1902, pp. 55-56). 



Writing of his observations in Massachusetts, C. W. Townsend 

 (1916, pp. 15-16) says: 



The courtship of the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is a pretty sight. The 

 gorgeously colored drake swims close to his modest little wife who is dressed 

 in quaker gray and wears large white spectacles. If she swims too fast for 

 him he is apt to touch her head with his bill, and when she stops he jerks his 

 head up and down in an abbreviated bow. At the same time he whistles in 

 a low sweet way as if he were drawing in rather than blowing out his breath. 

 The feathers of his creat and head are at the same time erected. 



Most ducks nest on the ground, but this species selects hollows in 

 trees which may be either living or dead. Often the nest is situated 

 over water but sometimes is at a considerable distance from it. Occa- 

 sionally the entrance to the nesting cavity is forty or fifty feet above 

 the ground, and the nest itself may be several feet below the entrance 

 to the hollow. Twigs, grass and leaves are used as building materials, 

 with down feathers for lining. The hollow end of a broken-off branch 

 is said to be frequently selected, and occasionally use is made of a 



