3i8 
SWIMMERS. 
and the Antilles. Throughout a great part of this vast space, 
or at least as far south as Florida and the Mississippi Terri- 
tory, the Summer Duck is known to breed. In the interior it 
is also found in the State of Missouri and along the woody 
borders and still streams which flow into most of the Great 
Northwestern Lakes of the St. Lawrence. I'he Summer Duck — 
so called from its constant residence in the United States — has 
indeed but little predilection for the sea-coast, its favorite 
haunts being the solitary, deep, and still waters, ponds, woody 
lakes, and the mill-dams in the interior, making its nest often 
in decayed and hollow trees impending over the water. 
Though many migrate probably to the shores of the Mexi- 
can Gulf, numbers pass the winter in the States south of Vir- 
ginia. Early in February they are seen associated by pairs on 
the inundated banks of the Alabama, and are frequent at the 
same season in the waters of West Florida. In Pennsylvania 
they usually nest late in April or early in May, choosing the 
hollow of some broken or decayed tree, and sometimes even 
constructing a rude nest of sticks in the forks of branches. 
The eggs are yellowish white, rather less than those of the 
Domestic Hen, and they are usually covered with down, prob- 
ably plucked from the breast of the parent. The same tree is 
sometimes occupied by the same pair for several successive 
years in the breeding-season. The young, when hatched, are 
carried down in the bill of the female, and afterwards con- 
ducted by her to the nearest water. To these places, when 
once selected, if not disturbed, they sometimes show a strong 
predilection, and are not easily induced to forsake the prem- 
ises, however invaded by noise and bustle. While the female 
is sitting, the male is usually perched on some adjoining limb 
of the same tree, keeping watch for their common safety. The 
species is scarcely ever gregarious ; the birds are only seen in 
pairs or by families. The common note of the Drake is peet, 
peet ; but when at his post as sentinel, on espying danger, he 
makes a sort of crowing noise, like 'hoo eek, 'hoo eek. 
The food of the Wood Duck consists principally of acorns, 
the seeds of aquatic plants, such as those of the wild oat, etc., 
