lence, as are the women for beauty
and hospitality. To gratify the healthy appetite of the human animal
this bird was doubtless sent by a kind Providence, none the less mindful
of the creature comforts and necessities of mankind than of the purely
aesthetic senses.

[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
CANVAS-BACK DUCK.]

[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
WOOD DUCK.]

THE WOOD DUCK.

A great many people think that this is the most beautiful bird of North
America. It is called Wood Duck because it usually makes its nest in the
hollow of a tree that overhangs the water. If it can find a squirrel's
or woodpecker's hole in some stump or tree, there it is sure to nest.

A gentleman who delighted in watching the Wood Duck, tells about one
that built her nest in the hollow of a tree that hung over the water. He
was anxious to see how the little ones, when hatched, would get down.

In a few days he knew that the ducklings were out, for he could hear
their _pee, pee, pee_. They came to the edge of the nest, one by one,
and tumbled out into the water.

You know a duck can swim as soon as it comes out of the egg.

Sometimes the nest is in the hollow of a tree that is a short distance
from the water.

Now how do you suppose the ducklings get there as they do?

If the nest is not far from the ground, the mother bird lets them drop
from it on the dried grass and leaves under the tree. She then carries
them in her bill, one by one, to the water and back to the nest.

If the nest should be far from the ground, she carries them down one by
one.

This same gentleman says that he once saw a Wood Duck carry down
thirteen little ones in less than ten minutes. She took them in her bill
by the back of the neck or the wing.

When they are a few days old she needs only to lead the way and the
little ones will follow.

The Wood Duck is also called Summer Duck. This is because it does not
stay with us during the winter, as most ducks do.

It goes south to spend the winter and comes back north early in the
spring.

THE WOOD DUCK.

Quite the most beautiful of the native Ducks, with a a richness of
plumage which gives it a bridal or festive appearance, this bird is
specifically named _Spousa_, which means betrothed. It is also called
Summer Duck, Bridal Duck, Wood Widgeon, Acorn Duck and Tree Duck.

It is a fresh water fowl, and exclusively so in the selection of it