UPLAND SHOOTING. 
125 
gated, but those of the upper part of the neck are slightly so. 
In other respects the plumage presents nothing very remarkable, 
and is similar to that of the male, only the feathers anterior to 
the wing, the hypochondrial, the inner secondaries and the 
rump feathers, are not enlarged as in him. Bill blackish-brown ; 
feet dusky, tinged with yellow. Upper part of the head dusky, 
glossed with green ; sides of the head and neck, and the hind 
part of the latter, light brownish-gray; throat white, but with¬ 
out the lateral processes of the male. Forepart of the neck 
below, and sides, light yellowish-brown, mottled with dark 
grayish-brown, as are the sides under the wings; breast and 
abdomen white, the former spotted with brown. Hind neck, 
back and rump, dark brown, glossed with green and purple. 
Wings as in the male, but the speculum less, and the seconda¬ 
ries externally faint reddish-purple; the velvet black of the 
male diminished to a few narrow markings. Tail dark brown, 
glossed with green; lower tail-coverts p-ale grayish-brown, 
mottled with white; lower wing-coverts as in the male. 
“ Length, 19| inches. 
u This beautiful species ranges over the whole extent of the 
United States, and I have seen it in all parts from Louisiana to 
the confines of Maine, and from the vicinity of our Atlantic 
coasts as far inland as my travels have extended. It also occurs 
sparingly in the breeding season in Nova Scotia, but farther 
North I did not observe it. Everywhere in this immense tract, 
I have found it an almost constant resident, for some spend the 
winter even in Massachusetts, and far up the warm spring 
waters of brooks on the Missouri. It confines itself, however, 
entirely to fresh water, preferring at all times the secluded 
retreats of the ponds, bayous, or creeks, which occur so pro¬ 
fusely in our woods. 
u The flight of this species is remarkable for its speed, and 
for the ease and elegance with which it is performed. The 
Wood Duck passes through the woods, and even among the 
branches of trees, with as much facility as the Passenger Pigeon ; 
and while removing from some secluded haunt to its breeding- 
