246 GAME BIEDS OF CALIFOBNIA 



To our knowledge there has been no marked diminution in the 

 numbers of Emperor Geese either in their northern home or in Cali- 

 fornia. Those taken in this state in the past are in the category of 

 mere stragglers, and it is reasonable to expect that such wanderers 

 will continue to make their appearance from year to year within our 

 boundaries. 



Fulvous Tree-duck 



Dcndrocygna hicolor (Vieillot) 



Other names — Mexican Duck; Squealer; Fulvous-bellied Tree-duck; Brown 

 Tree-duck; Spanish Cavalier; Dendrocygna fulva. 



Description — Adults, both sexes : Top of head reddish brown, running into 

 a black stripe down hind neck; sides of head yellowish brown, paling to 

 yellowish white on throat; iris dark reddish brown; bill bluish slate; broad 

 collar around base of neck, incomplete behind, dull white streaked with 

 brownish black; general color of rest of upper surface including tail, brown- 

 ish black, feathers of back and scapular region broadly tipped with reddish 

 brown; rump black; upper tail coverts creamy white; both outer and under 

 surface of wing deep blackish brown, except for lesser (upper) coverts which 

 are deep chestnut brown; under surface of body bright hazel brown becom- 

 ing paler on breast and belly; elongated feathers of sides and flanks cinna- 

 mon brown, each with central stripe of creamy white bordered by narrow 

 dusky lines; under tail coverts creamy white; legs and feet heavy and long, 

 extending far beyond end of tail, in color deep bluish gray. Total length 

 (both sexes): "about 20.00-21.00" inches (508-533 mm.) (Eidgway, 1900, 

 p. 119). Males: folded wing 8.00-8.60 (203-218); bill along culmen 1.71-1.84 

 (43.4-46.7); tarsus 2.03-2.21 (51.6-56.2) (five specimens). Females: folded 

 wing 8.00-8.30 (203-211); bill along culmen 1.82-1.86 (46.2-47.2); tarsus 2.05- 

 2.16 (52.0-54.8) (two specimens); all from California. Juvenile phirnage: 

 "Similar to adult, but with little or no chestnut color on wing-coverts; under 

 parts paler; the upper tail-coverts tipped wdth brown" (Sanford, Bishop and 

 Van Dyke, 1903, p. 256). Natal plumage: Top of head clove brown; chin, 

 throat and sides of head dull white, a streak of the same color extending around 

 back of head on each side and meeting its fellow on hind head; a short, dull 

 white streak on each side of head from side of bill to above eye; bill (dried) 

 dusky brown with prominent yellowish nail; hind neck clove brown, a streak of 

 same color invading side of head below streak of white which encircles head; 

 rest of upper surface of body uniform bister brown; whole under surface of 

 body dull white; feet (dried) grayish yellow. 



Marks for field identification — Medium size (about that of Pintail), long, 

 slim neck, extremely long legs (see fig. 38) reaching far beyond end of tail, 

 cinnamon colored under surface, black-appearing back, and absence of any 

 light markings on wings (pi. 7). Distinguished from Black-bellied Tree-duck 

 by absence of black on belly and of white on wings. The squealing whistle, 

 and down-curved pose of head and neck in flight, are characteristic. 



Voice — A long-drawn, squealing whistle (Chapman, 1908, p. 292). 



Nest — Usually on ground in marsh or near water, well built and often well 

 concealed; reported as occasionally situated in hollow trees; built of grass 

 and sparsely lined with down and feathers. 



Eggs — Normally 12 to 17, elliptical ovate in shape, and measuring in inches, 



