BIRDS OF CUBA 4^ 



to do SO, for during several consecutive months of constant association 

 with them I never saw one on the wing, though efforts were frequently made 

 to induce them to fly.) 



"In Cuba the Ruddy Ducks were in full, new breedmg dress on th e 

 thirtieth of January, 1921, and were actually breeding on that date, whereas 

 the male Masked Ducks were in full moult and young birds were obtained 

 which appeared to be from four to five months old. We were told that 

 this bird bred in August and was locally known as 'Agostero' for that 



reason. . 



"The call of the male Masked Duck is very distmctive, kirri-kirroo, 

 kirri kirroo, kirroo, kirroo, kirroo,' and the bird has a curious habit of 

 responding like a cock Pheasant to such noises as the banging of a punt- 

 pole on the water or an explosion in the distance. The female makes a 

 short hissing noise, repeated several times. ,• j ' 



"No first-hand information was collected with regard to these birds 

 nesting habits, but a local hunter pointed out several nests which he said 

 were those of Masked Ducks. According to him, the nests were always 

 placed amongst short, round rushes, and contained from five to six eggs 

 but never any down at all." 



48. Dendrocygna arborea (Linne). 

 Tree Duck; Yaguasa. 



Tree Ducks may be told by their rather long legs and neck and some- 

 what goose-like appearance. . , ■ r- 1 



Gathering the eggs of the Yaguasa is regularly practised in Cuba. 

 The Tree Ducks nest, off and on, all summer, and build in many situations. 

 The nest often is placed in a bunch of bromelias or airplants, curujeyes 

 they are called in Cuba, or on a big limb covered with Spanish moss or in 

 hollow stumps. The eggs sell for twenty cents each, and fanciers far and 

 wide over the Island hatch them under domestic poultry and raise the 

 Ducks for pets. In yard or patio they serve a useful purpose, for they 

 break up fights among the domestic fowls and whistle at the approach of 



strangers. , j j 



The cutting of the lowland forest has already very greatly reduced 



the number of Tree Ducks, and they are today gone from many localities 



where but a few years ago they were very abundant. There is only one 



