54 Bird Day Book 



darin duck of China — a painted harlequin. Our species is a tree- 

 duck, and not only perches on trees, but also makes its nests in 

 them, and rears its young at an elevation of from ten to thirty or 

 forty feet. The nesting-site is always above water, in order that 

 as the ducklings finally scramble out of the nest and fall, they will 

 alight in the water without injury, and quickly learn to swim. 



In captivity the best nesting arrangement for this bird consists 

 of a long, narrow box set on end on a stout post, well out in the 

 pond, roofed over to keep out the rain. There must be a hole in 

 one side, near the top, and a slanting board with cross slats reach- 

 ing up to it from the water, for use as a ladder. The Wood-Duck 

 will sometimes nest on the ground, either in captivity or out. This 

 species is being bred in captivity in England in large numbers, 

 and also with some success in this country. Duck fanciers find no 

 difficulty in purchasing live specimens of this interesting bird at 

 $15 per pair. 



During the summer of 1902, a pair of wild Wood-Ducks made 

 daily visits to the Ducks' Aviary in the New York Zoological 

 Park, and in the autumn of that year a small flock settled with 

 the Wood-Ducks, mallards and pintails on the Aquatic Mammals' 

 Pond, and remained there permanently. In the spring of 1903, a 

 fine drake manifested a fixed determination to break into the 

 Flying Cage, and become a member of the happy family within. 

 After he had flown around the cage two or three times, Keeper 

 Gannon opened wide the wire gates at the north end, drove him 

 in, and he is there now, serene and happy. 



The Wood-Duck is a bird of great discernment. 



Although this bird is called the Summer-Duck, and migrates 

 far in advance of winter, it winters very comfortably in the north- 

 ern states if it is fed and continuously provided with open water to 

 keep its feet from freezing. The natural range of this species is 

 from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, chiefly on fresh water; 

 but often is found on brackish sounds and channels along the At- 

 lantic coast where food is plentiful. 



Like all other wild ducks that are imperatively needed to keep 

 the American people from starving, there remains today about one 

 Wood-Duck where formerly there were from thirty to fifty. Ap- 

 parently, the only winged creatures that are too beautiful or too 

 good to be shot and eaten are angels ; but I doubt if even a white- 

 winged seraph with webbed feet would be safe for half an hour 

 anywhere between Cape Cod and Charleston. 



