68 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
Egg.—White; eight to twelve in number. May—July. 
Incubation, twenty-six days. 
Nest Down.—Delicate pale grey perfectly uniform. 
CAROLINA DUCK. 
(4x sponsa). 
This bird, which is called the “Summer Duck,” is a 
native of America, where it is plentiful in the United States, 
being also occasionally found in the West Indies. It builds 
and perches on trees, being the only perching duck, properly 
so called, of America. Wilson and Bonaparte state that it 
rarely visits the sea shore, frequenting solitary ponds and mill 
dams, making its nest in April or May, in old trees, and laying 
its twelve or thirteen eggs upon soft decayed wood in hollows, 
many feet deep. From this secure retreat the duck conveys 
her young to the water in her bill, carrying them by the wing or 
back of the neck. 
Mr. Elwen A. Capen states that 2x sponsa “often 
occupies the same nest for many consecutive years, and if robbed 
of its eggs, will, after a few days’ deliberation, lay a second 
set.” 
The Summer Duck flies in flocks of not more than half a 
dozen. Wilson states they feed principally on acorns, insects, 
and seeds of the wild oat, and are frequent in the markets of 
Philadelphia, their flesh being inferior to that of the Blue- 
winged Teal. The skin of the head and neck of this lovely 
duck is, according to the authors above quoted, often used by 
the Indians as a covering for the calumet, or pipe of peace. It 
is necessary, in exhibiting the Carolina Duck, to use the same 
care as indicated for the Mandarin. Value £3 3s. to £6 6s. 
a pair. 
