2 THE AUDUBON BULL EE 
fluttered down as if they had done it a thousand times before. Several times 
while photographing them I was left with the impression that they actually 
spouted out of the entrance. Now fluffy little wood ducks not more than 24 
hours old are not very heavy, and they fall lightly. Although they often 
bounce several inches when they strike the ground, I have never seen one 
even slightly hurt from the fall. The female duck waiting on the ground 
below calls continually and gathers them around as they come tumbling 
Hauling up a wood duck nest box to be fastened in place by 
means of lag screws or large spikes. 
down. It all takes place in about 12 minutes. When the brood is down the 
mother and young melt into the underbrush as they start their journey 
overland to the nearest body of water. Wood ducks may nest as far as a 
mile from water, and often the overland route is a hazardous one leading 
across busy highways or over deep sand ruts which detain the little ducks, 
or through many places where natural ground enemies are on the prowl. 
But the story of the wood ducks and their nest boxes is a long one and 
can be fully told only by Mr. Arthur Hawkins and Mr. Frank Bellrose. 
They are the men who have developed the wood duck nesting boxes and 
