206 ANATIDZ. 
cum abdomine, hypochondriis, axillaribus et subalaribus nigris; crisso albo, nigro maculato: rostro 
corallino, culmine aurantiaco, ungue apicali cerulescente ; pedibus roseo-albis; iride brunnea. Long. 
tota circa 19-0, ale 9°7, caude 3°0, culm. 2-2, tarsi 2°6. (Descr. maris adulti ex Jalapa. Mus. nostr.) 
© mari similis, sed paullo minor. Long. tota circa 19-0, alee 2-2, caudee 3-0, culm. 1:9, tarsi 2-25. (Descr. 
femine adulte ex Tampico. Mus. nostr.) 
Juv. adultis similis, sed sordidius colorata, sordide cinerascens ferrugineo tincta, nec rufescenti-brunnea ; 
abdomine et hypochondriis cinerascenti-albis, fusco transfasciatis: rostro et pedibus fuscis. 
Hab. Norn AMERICA, south-western border of the United States !8.—MeExico, both 
coasts 16, Tapana}®> (Sumichrast), Presidio de Mazatlan (forrer 7+), Mazatlan 
(Grayson, Bischoff '?), Tamaulipas (Richardson **, Berlandier ?*), Jalapa (Ferrari- 
Perez *4), Vega del Casadero, Vera Cruz (Trujillo °+), Cozumel I. (Gaumer’§) ; 
GuaATEMALA (Constancia®), Acapam ®, Huamachal 74 (0. S.); Honpuras®, Lake of 
Yojoa (Zaylor 28); Nicaraeva, Sucuyd 22, San Juan del Sur2! (Nutting); Costa 
Rica ®, Guanacaste (v. Frantzius 14), Cartago (Boucard }°), Rio Frio, Rio Escondido 
(Richmond \"), between Bebedero and Miravalles (Underwood 1°), La Palma 
(Nutting 2°), Nicoya (Arcé?4); Panama (M‘Leannan*°14, Festa’), Lion Hill 
(M‘Leannan *4), Agua Dulce (mus. nostr. 24).—CotomBia, Rio Truando (Wood ?°) ; 
West Inptgs °3. 
This species is larger than D. fulva, and is distinguished by the black spots on the 
vent ; the chestnut mantle is also a recognizable character. It has a wider distribution 
in Central America than the Fulvous Tree-Duck, occurring from the Rio Grande Valley 
in Texas throughout Central America from Mexico to Panama, and breeding at 
Mazatlan 12, where it is found throughout the year, and also at Tamaulipas 2°. 
Grayson has given a good account of D. autwmnalis as observed by him in Western 
Mexico. He says that the Black-bellied Tree-Duck resembles D. fulva, but is more 
nocturnal in its habits, visiting the corn-fields during the night in great numbers. This 
Duck not only perches on trees, but also on the corn-stalks when feeding on the grain. 
Their peculiar whistle of “‘Pe-che-che-né” has gained for them the name of “ Whistling- 
Duck.” In confinement they become very tame, and are as useful as a watch-dog, 
uttering their shrill cry at night on the slightest alarm. 
In the winter season it is usually found in large numbers together, and we noticed 
several flocks on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, and at least a thousand were seen by 
Mr. Richmond on a flooded piece of land near the Rio Frio in Costa Rical’. A 
nestling from Agua Dulce in our collection shows that the species breeds in the State 
of Panama. 
The nest is built in the hollow of a large tree, and from twelve to fifteen eges are 
laid, according to Grayson, who also states that the young are brought to the ground, 
one at a time, in the mouth of the female bird, and, after being safely deposited, are 
cautiously led by her to the nearest water. 
