26o REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 



The wood-duck is inclined to be solitary, holding aloof from others of its kind. 

 I have never seen them in company with other wild fowl, except in the rice beds, 

 where one would occasionally spring with the feeding black-ducks {Anas obscurd). 

 The flocks are small; rarely have I seen over seven or eight in company, three to five 

 being the usual number. As the country becomes cleared the ponds and streams 

 are deserted by the wood-duck, though I have known of an instance of their 

 remaining in a certain locality while streets were being cut through a favored bit of 

 swampy woodland, that had sheltered their nesting site for many years. 



I have observed a curious habit of flight in these birds. Years ago there was a 

 little company of some half-dozen individuals who sojourned in a swamp some three 

 miles away from a small pond of open water some half acre in extent, in which they 

 were in the daily habit of disporting themselves. Regularly they took the same 

 course back and forth, flying low across the open, swinging past the same corner of a 

 patch of woods on the way, up over a stiff hill covered with second growth and into 

 the swamp beyond. Many times I met them at various intervals on their course, but 

 never did they vary fifty yards either way, nor fly at a greater height than, say, twenty 

 yards above the ground. Contrary winds would hustle them at times, but with 

 remarkable pertinacity they kept their original line of flight. 



As a game-bird for the table the wood-duck does not hold a high place. While 

 its flesh is palatable it lacks the wild tang of that of the teal. In the autumn I have 

 found the birds fairly numerous in various of our fresh-water marshes on the borders 

 of lakes and would occasionally bag one or two, while hunting black-duck in 

 such localities. They do not decoy, so far as my own observation goes, and in this I . 

 am confirmed by others. In fact, I can hardly conceive of making a special hunt for 

 them. Where one knows the haunt of a few on some secluded stream, he might be 

 reasonably sure of having a shot. 



In the Blooming Grove Park preserve, Pike Co., Pa., is a small lake much 

 frequented by these birds; the members often secure a few by pushing a boat into the 

 reeds and firing at passing birds. 



The flight of the wood-duck is strong and steady, like that of the teal, though 

 not nearly so swift. They spring as does the black-duck, like a shot into the air from 

 the reeds where they feed, affording a pretty chance for a snap shot. 



As above it may be said they do not rank high as a game-bird for the table. 

 As an object of pursuit for the sportsman they are not numerous enough in any 

 one locality to warrant special effort for their capture, although they are likely to be 

 taken "en passant" wherever our fresh-water fowl are found in autumn. These birds 

 breed readily in captivity and are easily reared and tamed. 

 Bay Ridge, N. Y. 



