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THE WOOD DUCK.
ANAS SPONSA, LINN.
PLATE CCVI. MALES, FEMALES, AND NEST.
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 difficulty 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 oppor-
WOOD DUCK. 53
tunities 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.
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 during 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, that occur so profusely in our woods.
Well acquainted with man, they carefully avoid him, unless now and then
during the breeding-season, when, if a convenient spot is found by them
in which to deposit their eggs and raise their young, they will even locate
themselves about the miller's dam.
The flight of this species is remarkable for its speed, and the ease and
elegance with which it is performed. The Wood Duck passes through
the woods and even amongst the branches of trees, with as much facility
as the Passenger Pigeon ; and while removing from some secluded haunt
to its breeding-grounds, at the approach of night, it shoots over the trees
like a meteor, scarcely emitting any sound from its wings. In the lower
parts of Louisiana and Kentucky, where they abound, these regular excursions
are performed by flocks of from thirty to fifty or more individuals.
In several instances I have taken perhaps undue advantage of
their movements to shoot them on the wing, by placing myself between
their two different spots of resort, and keeping myself concealed. In this
manner I have obtained a number in the course of an hour of twilight;
and I have known some keen sportsmen kill as many as thirty or forty in
a single evening. This sport is best in the latter part of autumn, after
the old males have joined the flocks of young led by the females. Several
gunners may then obtain equal success by placing themselves at regular
distances in the line of flight, when the birds having in a manner
to run the gauntlet, more than half of a flock have been brought down in
the course of their transit. While passing through the air on such occasions,
the birds arc never heard to emit a single note.