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 tine 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. 
