CAROLINA DUCK 67 



men's periodicals that there has been a great and gratifying response of the species to 

 the protection afforded by the Federal Migratory Bird Law, which went into effect in 

 1915. Particularly is this true of Mississippi, northeastern Kansas, and Tennessee 

 (Bull. Amer. Game Protective Assoc, etc.). In the New England States there has 

 been some increase, but the more populated areas show either a very slow gain or 

 none at all. 



If real protection could be afforded to this duck in the northern States until 

 October 1, some would migrate before they were killed, for killed many will always 

 be in spite of there being a "close" time upon them. But as recently as 1910, resi- 

 dent hunters in Arkansas were shooting young Carolina Ducks by the latter half of 

 June, so that present conditions are a great improvement. 



Harper (U.S. Biological Survey notes) a few years ago estimated about two thou- 

 sand in the eastern half of Florida, north of Okeechobee, but I think this is too low. 

 He places the number in the great Okefinokee Swamp of Georgia and Florida as only 

 five hundred, which is certainly conservative. 



Any estimate of the annual increase in Carol inas must take into account the high 

 sterility of the eggs, both in captive and wild birds, and it is quite possible that this 

 peculiarity may in part account for the rapid disappearance of the species as a whole. 



Enemies. I know of no special investigation as to the natural enemies of the 

 Carolina Duck. Heinroth noted that they are well able to escape the European 

 Peregrine Falcon. Boardman (1903) considered the introduction of the pickerel 

 into the Calais region of Maine as a factor in the diminution of all breeding ducks in 

 that vicinity. However, as this duck breeds over an enormous territory inhabited 

 by pickerel, pike, and large-mouthed bass, this can hardly be of general significance. 

 Audubon mentions the mink, skunk, and raccoon as their enemies, but the snake 

 which enters the nest and destroys the eggs he considered the most important 

 destructive agent on the land. In certain parts of California, Dixon (1924) found the 

 raccoon the most dangerous nest robber, and it seems that the ducks in those places 

 actually found safer cavities near farm-houses than they did back away from roads 

 and dwellings. On the water the young have to guard against the snapping turtle, 

 the garfish, and the eel, while farther south the alligator is a menace. 



Naumann (1896-1905) mentions the two species of intestinal worms, Echinorkyn- 

 chus polymorphus and Distomum deliculatum, as enemies of the Carolina Duck in 

 captivity. 



Food Value. I can testify to the delicious quality of the Carolina Duck's flesh at 

 all ages and know of no writer in any part of the country who has found it other than 

 excellent. The birds are almost always exceedingly fat, especially in the autumn. 

 In the days of Audubon and Wilson they were common in all the markets of the 



