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THE WOOD DUCK.— SUMMER DUCK. 
Anas sponsa, Linn . 
PLATE CCCXCI. — Males and Females. 
I have always 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. 
