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THE WOOD DUCK.— SUMMER DUCK. 

 -/"Anas sponsa, Linn, 

 PLATE CCCXCL— Males and Females. 



I have alwa} T s experienced a peculiar pleasure while endeavouring to study 

 the habits of this most beautiful bird in its favourite places of resort. Never 

 on such occasions have I been without numberless companions, who, although 

 most of them were insensible of my presence, have afforded me hours of the 

 never-failing delight resulting from the contemplation of their character. 

 Methinks I am now seated by the trunk of a gigantic sycamore, whose 

 bleached branches stretch up towards the heavens, as if with a desire to 

 overlook the dense woods spread all around. A dark-watered bayou winds 

 tortuously beneath the maples that margin its muddy shores, a deep thicket 

 of canes spreading along its side. The mysterious silence is scarcely broken 

 by the hum of myriads of insects. The blood-sucking musquito essays to 

 alight on my hand, and I willingly allow him to draw his fill, that I may 

 observe how dexterously he pierces my skin with his delicate proboscis, and 

 pumps the red fluid into his body, which is quickly filled, when with diffi- 

 culty he extends his tiny wings and flies off, never to return. Over the 

 withered leaves many a tick is seen scrambling, as if anxious to elude the 

 searching eye of that beautiful lizard. A squirrel spread flat against a tree, 

 with its head directed downwards, is watching me; the warblers too, are 

 peeping from among the twigs. On the water, the large bull-frogs are 

 endeavouring to obtain a peep of the sun; suddenly there emerges the head 

 of an otter, with a fish in its jaws, and in an instant my faithful dog plunges 

 after him, but is speedily recalled. At this moment, when my heart is filled 

 with delight, the rustling of wings comes sweeping through the woods, and 

 anon there shoots overhead a flock of Wood Ducks. Once, twice, three 

 times, have they rapidly swept over the stream, and now, having failed to 

 discover any object of alarm, they all alight on its bosom, and sound a note 

 of invitation to others yet distant. 



Scenes like these I have enjoyed a thousand times, yet regret that I have 

 not enjoyed them oftener, and made better use of the opportunities which I 

 have had of examining the many interesting objects that attracted my 

 notice. And now, let me endeavour to describe the habits of the Wood 

 Duck, in so far as I have been able to apprehend them. 



