Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is a satisfaction to know that both these world's cham- 

 pions were produced in America, giving assurances that the heritage of the 

 now scattered lofts of Belgium has not been neglected in this country. Grand- 

 children of both these famous birds are included in the flock recently installed 

 in the New York Zoological Park. Others of almost equally illustrious descent 

 complete the new exhibit, which is proving of great interest to our visitors. — 

 Literary Digest. 



The Fulvous Tree -Duck (Dendrocygna hicolor) 



By I. N. Mitchell 



The Tree-ducks are natives of tropical or semi-tropical countries. Two 

 species are found in the United States, the bird of our illustration and the Black- 

 bellied Tree-duck. The range of the fulvous species extends from the southern 

 border of the United States, and in Nevada and California, southward through 

 Mexico, and reappears in the southern portion of Brazil and in the Argentine 

 Republic. It has also been reported as a visitor to the States of North Carolina 

 and Missouri. 



Mr. Frank M. Woodrufi^, in speaking of his experience while on a collecting 

 tour in Texas, says : "I found the Fulvous Tree-duck in small numbers resident 

 on Galveston Island, but found them abundant and nesting in the heavy timber 

 along the Brazos River, sixty miles from Galveston. In the early morning, as 

 we would leave our boat and make our way to our blinds, on some small inland 

 pond where we had prepared for collecting, we would flush immense flocks of 

 this duck, which would fly over our heads at rather a low altitude, and continuously 

 calling. On several occasions we obtained specimens by firing into a flock while 

 it was still so dark that we could scarcely define the outlines of the individual 

 birds. The fulvous tree-duck generally feeds in the night, and usually at a place 

 several miles from the nesting site. They leave the feeding grounds on the first 

 sign of approaching day- During my stay of three months in the Brazos River 

 region, only on one or two occasions did I have an opportunity to observe this 

 bird by the light of day. In form it resembles a miniature swan. It stands very 

 high on its legs and presents a wonderfully curious and graceful appearance as 

 it walks along the shore, feeding on shellfish and decaying matter. 



"Owing to the nature of its diet, which consists chiefly of grain, roots, and 

 water plants, the flesh of this bird is esteemed as an article of food, and many are 

 killed for such. 



"Nest: Located in the hollow of a tree, the bottom of the cavity usually 

 being lined with feathers. They lay from ten to fifteen pure white eggs, and as 

 many as thirty-two have been found in one nest, but these were probably laid by 

 two or more females." 



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