THE WOOD DUCK. 275 



the "iron weeds," a species of wild hemp very abundant in that portion of 

 the country. These I would throw to them on the water of the artificial 

 pond which I had in my garden, when the eagerness with which they would 

 scramble and fight for them always afforded me great amusement. They 

 grew up apace, when I pinioned them all, and they subsequently bred in my 

 grounds in boxes which I had placed conveniently over the water, with a 

 board or sticks leading to them, and an abundant supply of proper materials 

 for a nest placed in them. 



Few birds are more interesting to observe during the love-season than 

 Wood Ducks. The great beauty and neatness of their apparel, and the 

 grace of their motions, always afford pleasure to the observer; and, as I have 

 had abundant opportunities of studying their habits at that period, I am 

 enabled to present you with a full account of their proceedings. 



When March has again returned, and the Dogwood expands its pure 

 blossoms to the sun, the Cranes soar away on their broad wings, bidding our 

 country adieu for a season, flocks of water-fowl are pursuing their early 

 migrations, the frogs issue from their muddy beds to pipe a few notes of 

 languid joy, the Swallow has just arrived, and the Blue-bird has returned to 

 his box. The Wood Duck almost alone remains on the pool, as if to afford 

 us an opportunity of studying the habits of its tribe. Here they are, a 

 whole flock of beautiful birds, the males chasing their rivals, the females 

 coquetting with their chosen beaux. Observe that fine drake! how grace- 

 fully he raises his head and curves his neck ! As he bows before the object 

 of his love, he raises for a moment his silken crest. His throat is swelled, 

 and from it there issues a guttural sound, which to his beloved is as sweet as 

 the song of the Wood Thrush to its gentle mate. The female, as if not 

 unwilling to manifest the desire to please which she really feels, swims close 

 by his side, now and then caresses him by touching his feathers with her 

 bill, and shews displeasure towards any other of her sex that may come near. 

 Soon the happy pair separate from the rest, repeat every now and then their 

 caresses, and at length, having sealed the conjugal compact, fly off to the 

 woods to search for a large Woodpecker's hole. Occasionally the males 

 fight with each other, but their combats are not of long duration, nor is the 

 field ever stained with blood, the loss of a few feathers or a sharp tug of the 

 head being generally enough to decide the contest. Although the Wood 

 Ducks always form their nests in the hollow of a tree, their caresses are 

 performed exclusively on the water, to which they resort for the purpose, 

 even when their loves have been first proved far above the ground on a 

 branch of some tall sycamore. While the female is depositing her eggs, the 

 male is seen to fly swiftly past the hole in which she is hidden, erecting his 

 crest, and sending forth his love-notes, to which she never fails to respond. 



