(Plate XII.) 
THE WOOD DUCK. 
Aix sponsa (L.) Bole. 
This most gaylv plumagefl ol all our ducks is found abun¬ 
dantly over the greater part ol the continent, but especially in the 
United States, where, far more commonly than any other species, 
it breeds from the Gull to the St. Lawrence. Its home-life de¬ 
parts so Avidely from the usual rule among ducks as to become 
the most interesting part of its history. 
These clucks never build their nest upon the ground or on 
the branches ol a tree. They choose instead the hollow, broken 
portion of some big limb, the hole of one of the large rvood- 
peckers, or the deserted retreat ol a squirrel ; and it is surprising 
to see in and out of AA r hat small apertures they will squeeze, their 
bodies, Avhich seem altogether too large when seen upon the wing. 
The place chosen is not often far removed from the water, the 
gnarled sycamores towering- above Kentucky canebrakes, and the 
tall blasted pines that stand among the desolate Maine swamps, 
being fa\-orite dAVtfl 1 ing-plNeA'erthelcss the Wood Ducks 
do not hesitate to put their nests close to man’s habitations, or 
otherwise occasionally to depart from their usual custom, Audu¬ 
bon once found the home of a pair in a fissure of rock. They 
are much attached to their homestead, returning to it year after 
year, and are known in many localities as " Summer Ducks.” 
The nest is composed of dead sticks, grass, Avecds, and a quan¬ 
tity of feathers,— not only that plucked from the breast of the 
parent, but also cIoavu of other species of birds. Often this nest 
is plainly visible, but this fact generally affords little satisfaction 
to the ocilogist, for the careful builder has chosen a site which is 
inaccessible to ordinary climbers. About a dozen eggs are laid 
(the number varying according to the age of the bird, it is as¬ 
serted), which arc nearly elliptical, smooth, and of a delicate buff- 
green tint, unspotted. 
“No sooner has the female completed her set of eggs than she 
is abandoned by her mate, who iioav joins others, which form 
themselves into considerable flocks, and thus remain apart till the 
young are able to fly, Avhen old and young of both sexes come 
together, and so remain until the commencement ‘ of the next 
breeding season." 
The way in which the fledglings are transferred from the nest 
to the AA'ater is very curious. Audubon said that if the mouth of 
the nest-hole was immediately over the Water the young spread 
their little Avings and leet and jumped down into their favorite 
clement; but that if their birthplace was some distance from it, 
the mother carried her babies, one by one, in her bill. Avith great 
tenderness (as Wilson had previously recorded), or sometimes al¬ 
lowed them to tumble out upon the soft leaves at the foot of the 
tree, and then led them toddling to the bank. Recently Dr. C. 
C. Abbott has furnished more particular information, based on the 
most cautious and patient Avatching at Trenton, N. J. The nest 
in this instance Avas fully fifty feet above the Avatcr, in a tangled 
mass of twigs and grape-vine, on a huge buttonwood that grew 
from the water's edge and toAvered seventy-five feet above the 
creek, everywhere surrounded by Avoods. By climbing another 
tree Dr. Abbott could obtain a good view of the spot, and see 
the young in the nest. Two Avhole days he Watched without much 
result, but on the third his persistence was rewarded, for on taking 
bis position he saw that some of the young had disappeared, and 
tclt sure the others Avould soon follow. In the course of half an 
hour the old duck appeared, and after a moment's rest squatted 
closely down on the nest, when a duckling quickly climbed upon 
her back and nestled closely between her shoulders. The old 
bird then Avalked slowly to the very edge of an overhanging limb, 
and, with a sIoav flapping motion of outspread Avings, let herself 
down, rather than flew, to the water. The moment she touched 
the surface of the stream she djJve, and left the duckling s Ay gri¬ 
ming on the AA'ater, and to all appearances perfectly at home. 
This was repeated until the tender brood were all safely 
afloat, and as quick to scent danger and flee therefrom as was 
their wary mother. 
Surprise a new family of Wood Ducks at this season, and 
you will see a very pretty exhibition of maternal instinct. The 
mother, after covering the retreat of the little ones, will assume 
the desperate struggles of a Aving-broken fowl in its efforts to 
escape, while the young remain perfectly motionless and voice¬ 
less, having, at a signal from their mother, dove- under the shndoAV 
of leaves and rushes, or hid in the herbage. You may even pick¬ 
up the little Aveb-footcd balls of down before they will stir. Leave 
the group alone and soon will be heard the faint peeping of the 
gathering brood as it is led into hiding among the tall grass. 
The food of this beautiful duck consists of acorns, seeds of the 
wild oats and other aquatic plants, and insects. The flesh is 
highly esteemed, tasting like that of the Teal. Wood Ducks 
have been successfully domesticated, and are highly ornamental 
to the fancier’s yard. 
