or observed in the Republic uf Honduras, i^x. 315 



Yojoa, Without a boat they were difficult to shoot, and to 

 secure when killed, for they run about on the leaves of aquatic 

 plants, in water too deep for any one to wade in it. For this 

 purpose their feet are admirably adapted. The difference of 

 plumage between the adult and young birds is so great as to 

 make them appear like different species to any one not ac- 

 customed to them. 



86. Red-billed "Whistling Duck. [Dendrocygna autum- 

 nalis.) 



The Lake of Yojoa is the only locality where I saw this Duck ; 

 there they were plentiful, and easy of approach. 1 found them 

 good eating. 



87. Blue-wixged Teal. {Cyanopterus discors.) 



I saw this species on Tigre Island and on the Lake of Yojoa. 

 They are very good eating. In Tigre Island I tired at a small 

 flock on the wing, and killed two of them. One towered, and be- 

 fore it reached the ground a large Hawk caught it, and carried 

 it off. I could have shot the Hawk ; but as it would have fallen 

 into deep water, where I could not have picked it up, I refrained 

 from firing. 



88. Muscovy Duck. {Cairina moschata.) 



Is a common species in these latitudes. I saw some at the 

 Lake of Yojoa ; but they were wild, and I did not get a shot. 

 They settled on a lai'ge extent of shallow water near the shore, 

 where the bottom was very muddy, so that we could not walk, 

 and there was not sufficient depth of water for our canoe. At 

 the same place I saw some small diving Ducks, perhaps Erisma- 

 tura rubida ; these would sink rather than dive, without disturb- 

 ing the surface of the water. I also saw Ducks with a note very 

 similar to the quack of a common wild Duck, Anas boschas. 



89. Black Cormorant. [Phalacrocorax mexicanus ?) 



A bird of this species that I shot on the Lake of Yojoa measured 

 26 inches in length. Beak brown, yellow at gape ; irides green ; 

 legs and feet black, tinged with green -, back brown, each fea- 

 ther edged with black ; under part of neck and throat brown ; 

 breast and belly greenish-black. Tail-feathers twelve in num- 

 ber, dark brown, and very stiff. 



