PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 109 



212. Cygnus ameiicanus, Sbarpless. 



Early in January, 1878, a fine specimen was brouglit into Brownsville 

 alive by a Mexican, who said that it was caught on a lagoon by one of 

 Lis dogs. It must Lave been wounded, thougL I could see uo sign of 

 this. EitLer tLis species or iLe Trumpeter Swan is said to be not 

 uncommon uear tLe coast during winter. 



213. Anser albifrons rar. gambeli, Hartl. 



TLe first of tLe Geese to return in tLe autumn, usually about the first 

 week in October. Comparatively few of tLis or tLe otLer species of 

 Geese remain tLrougbout tLe winter, but during tbe migrations tLis one 

 is only surpassed in numbers by tLe Snow Goose. I Lave seen a flock of 

 at least two Lundred pass over Fort Brown as late as tLe IStL of April. — 

 {A. gambeli, Dkesser, Ibis, 18GG, 42.) 



214. Chen hyperboreus, (Pall.) 



Very abundant, especially on tLe salt prairies near tlie coast. — 

 (Dresser, Ibis, 186G, 41. — Sennett, B. Kio Grande, G2.) 



215. Branta canadensis, (Liuu.) 



l^ot rare, but tbe least common of tLe Geese in tLis vicinity. — {Ber- 

 nicla c, Dresser, Ibis, 18GG, 42.) 



216. Branta hutchinsi, (Sw. & Rich.) 



More abundant tLan B. canadensis, but less so tLan A. gamheli. — 

 {Bernicla li., Dresser, Ibis, 18GG, 42.) 



217. Decdrocygna autumnalis, (Linn.) 



TLis large and Landsome bird arrives from tLe soutL in April, and is 

 soon found in abundance on tLe river banks and lagoons. Migrating 

 at nigLt, it continually utters a very peculiar cLattering wListle, wLicL 

 at once indicates its presence. Called by tLe Mexicans patos maizal, or 

 Corn-field Duck, from its Labit of frequenting those localities. It is by 

 uo means sLy, and large numbers are ofiered for sale in tLe Brownsville 

 market. Easily domesticated, it becomes very tame, roosting at nigLt 

 in trees witL cLickens and turkeys. WLen tLe females begin to lay, tLe 

 males leave tLem, and gatLer in large flocks on sand-bars in tLe river. 

 My knowledge of tLe breeding Labits is derived from Dr. S. M. Eiuley, 

 U. S. A., wLo Lad ample opportunity of observing tLese birds at Hi- 

 dalgo. TLe eggs are deposited in Lollow trees and branches, often at a 

 considerable distance from water (two miles), and from eigLt to tLirty 

 feet or more from tLe ground. TLe eggs are placed on tLe bare wood, 

 aud are from twelve to sixteen in number. Two broods are raised, and 

 tLe parent carries tLe young to water in Ler bill. Twelve eggs received 

 from Dr. Finley average 2.11 by 1.53, witL but little variation in size: 

 ILey are of tLe usual duck sLape, and in color are a ratLer clear yellow- 

 isL-wLite. TLe birds leave in September, but a few late broods are seen 

 as late as November. TLe soft parts in a full-plumaged living male were 



