ANSERINE — THE GEESE — DEN DROCYCNA. 483 



the procuring of a single si^ecimen at Fort Tejon by Mr, Xantus, "who regarded it as 

 of rare and unusual occurrence. 



Specimens were obtained by Mr. G. C. Taylor on the Lake of Tojoa, in Honduras. 

 The birds were very plentiful, easy of approach, and were very good eating. Mr. 

 E. C. Taylor found this species abundant in tlie Island of Porto Eico, where it was 

 breeding. 



Mr. Salvin mentions having met with a ilock on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. 

 He could plainly distinguish the clear Avhistling note which this bird utters as it 

 flies. According to Leotaud it is a permanent resident of Trinidad. It certainly is 

 known to breed there, and it is also to be met with at all seasons of the year, but 

 generally in very limited numbers. In the course of July and August it regularly 

 visits Trinidad in large numbers. The swamps then contain but very little water, 

 and certain aquatic plants which grow on the edges of pools produce seeds of which 

 this Duck is very fond. This undoubtedly is what attracts these birds, for it 

 cannot be that they are driven by cold from the neighboring portions of the South 

 American continent, where they abound. On the other hand, there seems to be some 

 evident necessity for this movement, for at that period hardly an individual remains 

 behind. This Duck is always seen in flocks more or less considerable in size. It 

 utters a very peculiar whistling sound, said to resemble the syllables oiii-ki-ki ; and by 

 this name the bird is known in Trinidad. It is not infrequently known to perch on 

 the limbs of trees. In captivity it will freely mingle with the other inhabitants of 

 the barnyard, appearing to be quite contented with its lot ; but it will not breed. 

 Its flesh, like that of all the Ducks of South Ainerica, is deservedly considered a great 

 delicacy by epicures. 



Colonel A. J. Grayson, quoted by Mr. Lawrence in his paper on the Birds of 

 Western Mexico, states that the history of the habits of this species would be almost 

 identical with that of its near ally, D. fulva. It is, however, more nocturnal in 

 pursuit of subsistence, visiting the dry cornfields during the night in great numbers, 

 and doing considerable damage there. Colonel Grayson adds that he has also met 

 with these birds in the night-time, as they were walking along the road, far from any 

 water, picking up the grains of corn which had been dropped by the j^ackers. 



This species is said to be more, abundant in the vicinity of Mazatlan in the latter 

 part of the dry season than the D. fulva, but in April and May it migrates during 

 the night toward Sonora. Many, however, remain and breed in the neighborhood 

 of Mazatlan during the summer, where they are seen during every month of the year, 

 breeding in the hollows of large trees, and laying from twelve to fifteen eggs. The 

 young are lowered to the ground, one at a time, in the mouth of the mother : after 

 all are safely landed, she cautiously leads her young brood to the nearest water. 



This Duck perches with facility on the branches of trees, and when in the corn- 

 fields, upon the stalks, in order to reach the ears of corn. Large flocks spend the day 

 on the bank of some secluded lagoon, densely bordered with woods or water-flags, also 

 sitting amongst the branches of trees, not often feeding or stirring about during the 

 day. When upon the wing this bird constantly utters its peculiar whistle oi pe-che- 

 che-ne, from which its native name is derived. Colonel Grayson noticed that it seldom 

 alights in deep water, always preferring the shallow edges or the ground ; the cause 

 of this may be the fear of the numerous alligators that usually infest the lagoons. 



When this Duck is taken young, or when its eggs are hatched under the common 

 Barnyard Hen, it becomes very tame, and does not require to be confined; it is 

 very watchful during the night, and, like the Goose, gives the alarm by a shrill 

 whistle when any strange animal or person comes about the house. A lady of 



