EST - AMD STRfiAM. 
12a 
Frank H, Risteen, 
Mr. Frank H. Risteen, of Fredericton, New Bruns- 
wick, died at Riverside, California, on the morning of 
Friday, Feb. 9, aged thirty-seven years. 
Mr, Risteen had been for many years one of the three 
official reporters of the Supreme Court of .the Province 
vvliere he was born, and the official reporter "of its Legis- 
lature, No one can for a moment dispute the fact 
that he was tlie foremost member of his profession in 
New Brunswick. He had few equals anywhere in that 
respect. 
He lived his life in &■ Province Avhich, of all spots on 
earth, is particularly blessed of God. New Brunswick, 
one of the early settled places in Canada, is to this, hour 
almost a virgin wilderness. The centuries of himian 
occupation have little disturbed the forest. Though 
Fredericton has its capitol, its cathedral, its university, 
its ancient army post, and all that English civilization can 
confer, the dominating presence of the glorious pi-imeval 
hovers over all. Out of the fair north the "coimtless 
springs of ihe St. John" pour down their accumulated 
flood, in the noble river that sweeps onward to the 
sea. Stemming that eternal tide, the salmon pursue 
unterrified tlieir vernal pilgrimages to their Tobique 
trysting places. Mr. Risteen has often shot deer within 
half an hour's walk of his own home in the city of 
Fredericton, And just a few miles away is the mighty 
Kingdom of the Moose. 
Breathing from his infancy the air of this lovely para- 
dise, Mr. Risteen was doubly fortunate, for he was, from 
boyhood, a most ardent lover of the woods and all that 
in them is. The man Avho wants the wilderness, and is a 
thousand miles from it, can understand this better than 
any one can tell him. . 
And Mr. Risteen, who couM hear the hymn of the 
forest, WSs also gifted bey-ojid niost men in- that, as all 
FRANK H. RISTEEN. 
readers of this paper kncfW, he' cfduld- transliterate that 
inusic into words, and his many contributions to the 
literature of sportsmanship have delighted multitudes of 
men less endowed and less happily situated. Mr. Ris- 
teen has undoubtedly done more than any other man to 
call the attention of the world of sportsmen to New 
Brun.swick. 
Perhaps Mr. Risteett won his greatest local reputation 
by his wonderful skill with the rifle. In a country 
where everybody is a born rifleman, it means something 
to be known from one end of one's country to the other 
as a great shor. He was nowhere more at home than on 
the range, and the record of the success he won in Pro- 
vincial and Dominion military matches is a long one. He 
had a large collection of weapons, and took the keenest 
delight in everything pertaining to the rifle. He always 
said the stories of unerring shots were exaggerated, that 
there were no Fitzjames or Natty Bumpos in real life- 
no men who never missed. But his own record at the 
butts and in the woods was a wonderful example of 
steady excellence. In the last match in which he shot 
he only lacked one point of a "possible" at each of the 
long ranges. 
It was my privilege to be with him before many camp- 
fires, and to share his blanket many times. I was with 
him last summer when he killed his last salmon, only a 
few days before he was stricken with the illness which 
has resulted in his death. I shall share with all his 
friends the memories of those times, as among the 
choicest treasures of the mind. 
As this number of Forest and Stream is read, his be- 
reaved j'oung wife and sorrowing friends are putting him 
away under the towering elms of his home city, to sleep 
till the mountains and the rivers are no more. It seems 
hard that we who love him shall read no more anew his 
words that sing and sentences that soar. He had much 
before him. He leaves behind a heritage of lovely 
memories. May we all meet him again in the country 
of another Miramichi. Frederic Irland. 
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latest by MtJnday and aj? tniicji earJier as pfacticahle. 
The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). 
BY WILMOT TOWNSEND. 
From the report of the New York Fisheries, Game and Forest 
Commission. 
Male. 
"The wood duck is 19 inches in length and 2 feet 4 
niches m extent; bill red, margined with black; a spot 
of black lies between the nos.rils, reaching nearly to the 
tip, which is also of the same color, and furnished with 
a large hooked nail; irides orange red; front, crown and 
pendent crest rich glossy bronze green, ending in violet, 
elegantly marked with a Unc of pure white rtmning 
from the upper mandible over the eye, and with another 
band of white proceeding from behind the eye, 
both mingling their long pendent plumes with the green 
and violet ones, producing a rich effect; cheeks and sides 
of the upper neck violet; chin, throat and collar round 
the neck pure white, curving up in the form of a crescent 
nearly to the posterior part of tlic eye; the white col- 
lar is bounded below with black; breast dark violet 
brown, marked on the fore port with minute triangular 
spots of white, increasing in size until they spread into 
the white of the belly; each side of the breast is bounded 
by a large crescent of white, and that again by a broader 
one of deep black; sides under wings thickly and beauti- 
fully marked with fine undulating parallel lines of black, 
on a ground of yellowish drab; the flanks are orna- 
mented with broad alternate semi-circular bands of black 
and white; sides of the vent rich light violet; tail coverts 
long, of a hair-like texture at the sides, over which they 
descend, and of a deep black, glossed with green; back 
dusky bronze, reflecting green, scapulars black; tail 
tapering, darli glossy green above, below dusky; ori- 
iiianes dusky, silvery hoary without, tipped with violet 
blue; secondaries greenish blue, tipped with wliite; wing 
coverts violet blue, tipped with black; vent duskv; legs 
and feet yellownsh red, claws strong and hooked." 
Female. 
"The female has the head slightly crested, crown dark 
purple, behind the eye a bar of white; chin and throat 
for 2 inches also white; head and neck dark drab; breast 
dusky brown, marked with large triangular spots of 
white; back dark glossy bronz-e brown, with gold and 
greenish reflections. Speculum of the wings nearly the 
same as in the male, but the fine penciling of the sides 
and the long ha.ir-like tail coverts are wanting; tlie tail is 
also shorter." 
Among the many beautiful water fowl we have with 
us the male wood duck in the full glow of his autumn 
plumage is the most brilliant. 
Sharp contrast of superb tints, and a wonderful blend- 
ing of rich, warm colors combine to produce in the 
plumage of the male the most gorgeous effects. 
_ Taxidermy gives us the graceful carriage and' color- 
ing, but there is lacking that indescribable sheen or 
more properly bloom, that we find in life, blending its 
warmth and greatly enhancing the splendor of this bird's 
appearance. 
The female is a "dainty little beauty," to my thinking 
Though lacking the gorgeous habiliments of her con- 
sort, she wears a most fascinating garb of modest duns, 
yellows, grays, whites and browns; is so shapely, and 
carries herself, withal, in so graceful a manner, as to 
steal right into the affections of those who have had op- 
Ijortunity of familiar acquaintanceship witli the little 
woodsprite. 
These birds are mated for life, and if undisturbed will 
return year after year to the same site for nest building in 
the hollow of some favorite old tree, or it may be a cosy 
angle in the fork of a limb that overhangs the water 
The nest is a primitive affair as to its exterior, but a 
downy coverlet protects the eggs within, "from eight to 
a dozen in number." 
About the middle of May with us, the young brood is 
earned down to the still water, where they speedily ac- 
custom themselves to their surroundings, disappearing 
as jf by magic on the slightest alarm; thcv scuttle under 
the drooping fronds of the ferns that border many of our 
inland creeks and runs, or, if it be a swamp where they 
have hatched, the tussocks of lush grass and weeds will 
instantly receive them out of sight. 
Save as an occasional visitant I have never found this 
bird on salt meadows. 
They love the silence and beauty of wooded streams, 
and the tangle of vin-canopies that spread Q.\ier Still, 
swamp waters. 
When approaching the nest, one must needs be cau- 
tious if a glimpse of the male be desired. Should he 
happen on the water when you arrive it is more than 
likely an incautious rustle will betray you, and im- 
mediately you hear a startling rush as he springs in flight 
through the nodding alders. But, if above in the 
branches of his family tree, and your are adept in still- 
luiiiting, you may catch him imawarcs. 
He dearly loves to perch on a dead limb in a full blaze 
of sunshine, to preen. 
Fortunate you are if your careful approach he re- 
warded by a sight of this fairy creature at his toilet. 
Only once liavc I had this opportunity. The nest was 
in a huge chestnut that himg over a pool in the midst 
of a tangled swamp. I had stolen up unobserved, and 
though I knew where to look, and felt positive the bird 
I sought was there, still it was many' minutes before 1 
could locate him in spite of the fact that he stood boldly 
out on a dead limb in the full glare of the sunshine. 
After I saw him, of course I could not lose him again, 
but though his plumage glistened and shone so fairlv, he 
v\as in such close harmony with surroundings tliat a 
casual observer might pass and repass the tree without 
once seeing him, had the bird chosen to remain motion- 
less. 
Nature's ways are wonderful, and It is marvelous how 
even the most elaborately clad of her wild creatures 
will blend with their surroundings, often escaping dis- 
C9very by this means. If the bird discovers you from 
his high perch as you approach, you will have to look 
sharp to see him, for he vanishes like a glimpse of some- 
thing intangible, unreal, and your ear must be sharp to 
catch even the faint treble of his whistling wings, 
The Avood duck is a shy, silent bird, altogether unlike 
many of our water fowl, whose loquacity often betrays 
their whereabouts. Often the sportsman, while push- 
ing his canoe along some favorite stream, carefully whip- 
ping the pools as he advances, is suddenly startled as a 
trio of wood duck whish-sh up from the water just ahead 
as the canoe with the silence of thought, almost, rounds^* 
a bend. These sylvan sanctuaries are chosen retreats 
ot these "bnght-eyed woodfolk," and here one must go 
to find them with certainty. Here they rear their little 
ones and a charming sight it is to see the family cruising 
along the edge of such a stream, halting here and there 
to glean some especially dainty morsel that offers itself. 
Life with the wood duck is not always one long 
bright dream, however. The habit of basking in the sun 
indulged in by both male and female often gets them into 
trouble. In their paddling about the shallows during the 
early spring ireshets they will mount every half-sub- 
merged tree or branch, every water-soaked log that comes 
in the way, stand erect, flip their wings and preen for an 
instant (they are always fussing with their plumage) 
before swimming on. These half-submerged limbs and 
logs make what the muskrat trappers call "likely places," 
and many a bright little wood duck has come to grief in 
the trap so carefully placed thereon. 
That "Ishmael of the woods," the mink, also takes toll 
of them, while huge pike and pickerel are lurking below 
ready to engulf their fledglings with sudden swirl and 
splash among the lily pads. 
Watching a happy family of these birds is a delightful 
way to pass the time. The tender concern shown by the 
female in the welfare of her young, the scraps of conver- 
sation carried on with her consort in soft, liquid tones, 
to which he replies with a quiet peet! peet! are in keepinc^ 
with the wood life they lead. Like the rustle of the soft 
leaves and tendrils of the spring, they do not break the 
charm of their surroundings; on the contrary, they add 
a witchery that is in perfect accord. 
The rapid growth of feathers makes a heavy drain on 
the strength of the youngsters; we find them therefore 
possessed ot voracious appetites, always on the go after 
food, as an immense amount is absolutely necessary to 
sustain them. The supply is unlimited and varied, from 
bugs and beetles, to buds and berries, and those innumer- 
able little nothings which defy your closest scrutiny. 
Autumn adds the acorns, mast and other dainties to their 
list. In perpetual motion the fuzzy little bodies wriggle 
and dart hither and yon, in one long, restless seeking' atid 
eating. Presently you will see one of the Httle puffs of 
down draw its head between its shoulders, give a gulp 
or two, and float motionless on the water as though 
that last morsel had been too much for it. With the glass 
you may see the sharp little eyes, like ink spots in the 
yellow fluff that covers its head. Should a luckless insect 
happen along just then, it will surprise you to see how 
quickly that "ducklet" will rouse and put after it After 
some weeks of hearty feeding they have gained in size 
and strength they take longer trips with their parents 
and are finally piloted down to the marsh where the 
stream enters the lake. Should you come upon the 
family at this time in the open water, the old birds'Will 
take wing, while the youngsters, with prodigious flappino' 
of wmgs and spattering of feet, make all speed for the 
shelter of the marsh. They make for cover in different 
directions, and the calm water is streaked with as many 
wakes as there are individuals in the family. Too fat and 
adolescent to fly they flap along, and hehce the name they 
bear at this time of life is "flappers." ' 
They breed throughout the States, though the New 
England and Middle States are perhaps more favored 
localities. Migrant with us they leave soon after the 
first frost pinches the woods, to return early in spring 
during March and April, and again take up their ideal 
Jite in familiar haunts. 
The wood duck is inclined to be solitary, holding aloof 
trom others of its kind. I have never seen them in 
company with other wild fowl, except in the rice beds 
vvhere one woidd occasionally spring with tfe feeding 
black ducks (Anas obscura). 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 ivood 
duck, though I have known of an instance of their re- 
maining in a certain locality while streets were being cut 
through a favored bit of swampy woodland, that had 
sneltered 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 
mdividuals who sojourned in a swamp some three miles 
away trom a small pond of open water some half-acre in 
extent, in which they were in the daily habit of disportific^ 
themselves. Regularly they took the same course back 
and iorth. flying low across the open, swinging past the 
corner of a patch of woods on the way, up over a 
stift 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 ^vould hustle them at 
tmaes, but with remarkable pertinacity they kept their 
original line ot flight. i >■ 
As a game bird for the table, the wood duck ddes 
not hold a high place. While its flesh is palatable, it 
acks 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 
Ui tact, I can hardly conceive of making a special 'hunt 
tor them W here one knows the haunt of a few on 
some secluded stream, lie might be reasonably' sure 'of 
having a shot. • • ; ^ 
In the Blooming Grove Park preserve, Pike cb'tfiity 
t a., IS a small lake much frequented by these birds - the 
menibers often secure a few by pushing a boat into the 
reeds and firing at passing birds. 
th.f ^li^''^ '"'f ^"^""^^ 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 froifi thf 
reeds where they feed, affording a pretty chance foi- a 
snap shot. 
As above, it may be said they do hot rank high as a 
