186 THB SUMMER DUOK. 



The Summer Duck seldom flies in floeks of more thaa 

 three or four indivi<^"ials together, and most commonly in 

 pairs, or singly. Thti^r flesh is inferior to that of the hlue- 

 winged teal. They are frequent in the markets of Phila- 

 delphia. 



Among other gaudy feathers with which the Indians 

 ornament the calumet or pipe of peace, the skin of the head 

 and neck of the Summer Duck is frequently seen covering 

 the stem. 



This beautiful bird has often been tamed, and soon 

 becomes so familiar as to permit one to stroke its back with 

 the hand. I have seen individuals so tamed, in various 

 parts of the Union. Captain Boyer, collector of the port 

 of Havre-de-Grace, informs me, that, about forty years ago, 

 a Mr. Nathan Nicols, who lived on the west side of Gun- 

 powder Creek, had a whole yard swarming with Summer 

 Ducks, which he had tamed and completely domesticated, 

 so that they bred and were as familiar as any other tamo 

 fowls ; that he (Captain Boyer) himself saw them in that 

 state, but does not know what became of them. Lathair 

 says, that they are often kept in European menageries, ujA 

 will breed there. 



