. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL DUCKS 273 a color-scheme of brilliant reds, greens, blacks, browns, yellows and whites which is quite be- wildering. Even its weak little bill is colored scarlet and white, and its iris is bright red. In my opinion the claims of the two duck species which are rivals for the prize for web- footed beauty may fairly be expressed by the following proportion: The Pintail is to the Wood-Duck as a well- gowned American Woman is to a Chinese Man- darin. The Wood-
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL DUCKS 273 a color-scheme of brilliant reds, greens, blacks, browns, yellows and whites which is quite be- wildering. Even its weak little bill is colored scarlet and white, and its iris is bright red. In my opinion the claims of the two duck species which are rivals for the prize for web- footed beauty may fairly be expressed by the following proportion: The Pintail is to the Wood-Duck as a well- gowned American Woman is to a Chinese Man- darin. The Wood-Duck needs no description. Among ducks it is equalled in gorgeous colors only by its nearest relative, the mandarin duck of China—a painted harlequin. Our species is a tree-duck, and not only perches on trees, but also makes its nest in them, and rears its young at an elevation of from ten to thirty or forty feet. The nesting-site is always above water, in order that as the ducklings finally scramble out of the nest and fall, they will ahght in the water without injury, and quickly learn to swim. In captivity the best nesting arrangement for this bird consists of a long, narrow box set on end on a stout post, well out in a pond, roofed over to keep out the rain. There must be a hole in one side, near the top, and a slanting • board with cross slats reaching up to it from the water, for use as a ladder. The Wood-Duck will sometimes nest on the ground, either in captivity or out. This species is being bred in captivity in England in large numbers, and also with some success in this country. Duck fanciers find no difficulty in purchasing live specimens of this interesting bird at $15 per pair. During the summer of 1902, a pair of wild Wood-Ducks made daily visits to the Ducks' Aviary in the New York Zoological Park, and in the autumn of that year a small flock settled with the Wood-Ducks, mallards and pintails on the Aquatic Mammals' Pond, and remained there permanently. In th
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