﻿SUMMER DUCK. 



1J5 



XA TA TORES. A NA TIDM 



PLATE CCLIIT. 



SUMMER DUCK. 



DENDRONESSA SPONSA. 



Two specimens of the Summer Duck having been ob- 

 tained, in an apparently wild state, near Dorking in Surrey, 

 some few years ago, this species has been added to the 

 list of British Birds by some few ornithologists ; but whether 

 it can lay claim to its place in the British Fauna is ques- 

 tionable, and must remain so until more frequent occurrences 

 of the species substantiate its right. 



The American continent is the natural abode of the 

 present species., Avhere it is known by the name of Wood 

 Duck. 



The particulars at present known respecting the Sum- 

 mer Duck, are very limited, but not uninteresting, in 

 consequence of its habits differing in some respects from 

 those of other ducks, namely, in its placing its nest in- 

 variably in trees ; a hole in a tree by the water side, a 

 cavity formed by decay or accident, or the hollow crown of 

 a pollard, are particularly chosen for the purpose. 



The number of eggs varies generally from ten to four- 



VOL. VI. L 



