LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN WILD FOWL 271 



immature plumage is worn at least through the first fall and winter 

 and perhaps until the first postnuptial molt, the next summer. 



Food. — Tliis species is locally known as the " cornfield duck," 

 on account of its habits of frequenting the cornfields to feed on the 

 corn, where it is said to do considerable damage. Mr. Sennett (1878) 

 writes : 



Late in August, the young not full grown are seen about the corncribs 

 picking up the refuse corn, at which time Mr. Bourbois says they afford most 

 excellent eating. This bird does not alight in the water as do other ducks 

 but on the land, and wades about in shallow water for food. When corn is 

 nearly ripe, it alights on the stalks, strips the ears of their husks, and pulls 

 the grain from the cob, making this its chief food during the season. I never 

 saw it skulk in the grass for cover, but always take wing and fly to the woods, 

 or to some removed open point by tlie water. It is a pretty sight to see this 

 bird on some dead stub, pluming itself, its color and shape being very handsome. 



Behavior. — Colonel Grayson, in his notes, quoted by Mr. Lawrence 



(1874), says: 



This duck perches with facility on the branches of trees, and when in the 

 cornfields, upon the stalks, in order to reach the ears of corn. Large flocks 

 of them spend the day on the bank of some secluded lagoon, densely bordered 

 with woods or water flags, also sitting among the branches of trees, not often 

 feeding or stirring about during the day. When upon the wing they con- 

 stantly utter their peculiar whistle of pe-clie-clie-n^, from which they have re- 

 ceived their name from the natives. (The other species is called Durado.) 

 I have noticed that this species seldom lights in deep water, always prefering 

 the shallow water edges, or the ground ; the cause of this may be from 

 the fear of the numerous alligators that usually infest the lagoons. 



When taken young, or the eggs hatched under the common barnyard hen, 

 they become very domestic witliout being confined ; they are very watchful 

 during the night, and, like the goose, give the alarm by their shrill whistle 

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

 acquaintance possessed a pair which she said were as good as the best 

 watchdog; I also had a pair which were equally as vigilant, and very docile. 



Doctor Sanford (1903) writes: 



In April, 1901, I found these birds abundant in the vicinity of Tampico, 

 Mexico. They were most often seen in small flocks of from 4 to 10 on the 

 banks at the edge of the lagoon. Their long legs gave them an odd look. 

 At our approach they would run together, raising their long necks much like 

 geese. The flight was peculiar and characteristic, low down and in a line, 

 their large wings with white bands presenting a striking aspect, and giving 

 the impression of a much larger bird. We saw them occasionally on the 

 smaller ponds, and shot several, all of them males. In one or two instances 

 the appearance of the breast indicated the bird had been sitting on eggs. 

 While the males of this species are supposed to attend to their own affairs 

 during the period of incubation, it would seem as if they occasionally as- 

 sisted in nesting duties. Once or twice I saw them near small ponds in woods, 

 apparently nesting, flying from tree to tree with perfect ease, exhibiting some 

 concern at our presence. 



