18 Contributions from the Charleston Museum. 



Cooper and Combahee Rivers and also on Goose Creek. Like 

 all freshwater ducks, its flesh is excellent. 

 The Pintail breeds as far north as the Arctic Ocean 



46. Aix sponsa (Linn.). Wood Duck; Summer Duck. 



This species is a permanent resident, being found even in very- 

 severe winters. It is still locally abundant, and, with the single 

 exception of the Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) , is 

 the only species of the family Anatidse which breeds in the State. 



Though I have seen hundreds of the young of this beautiful 

 species in nearly every reservoir that I have visited, from the 

 Savannah River to the latitude of Cape Romain, I have found 

 but one nest, on April 25, 1906. The eight eggs were nearly 

 hatched, and were laid in a sleeping hole of the Pileated Wood- 

 pecker (Phlceotomus pileatus), in a living sweet gum tree, forty 

 feet above the ground and more than a mile from the nearest res- 

 ervoir. 1 obtained young on May 16, 1890, which could dive 

 with ease, although they could not have been more than a few 

 days old. 



The birds are mated in the early part of March, and the eggs 

 must be laid in March in some forward seasons. The eggs vary 

 from eight to fifteen in number, and are of a buff color, measur- 

 ing 2.00X1.50. They are deposited in natural cavities of trees 

 or in deserted holes of the Pileated Woodpecker. As soon as the 

 female begins to incubate she is forsaken by her mate, who now 

 joins other males, but, when the young are hatched, both sexes 

 look after their wants most assiduously. Only one brood is 

 raised, and these are strong of wing by August, when they are 

 tender and juicy and afford excellent eating. 



47. Marila americana (Eyt.). Redhead. 



Never having seen this species alive in South Carolina, I quote 

 from Audubon: 1 



In South Carolina, these ducks are now much more abundant than they were 

 twenty years ago, especially on the Santee River, where my friend Dr. Samuel 

 Wilson has shot many of them, as well as of the Canvas-back species. 



These ducks are still found during the winter on the Santee 

 River, and I am indebted to Mr. A. H. Lucas, who has seen 

 many specimens, for this information. I have frequently seen 



i Birds of America, VI, 312. 



