Goose-sbooting 257 



the corn-fields. The bird is comparatively easy 

 of approach, and sometimes many are killed at a 

 shot. In April they migrate north a short dis- 

 tance, and breed along the rivers in western 

 Sonora, passing in limited numbers into the 

 United States. The nest is a hole in a tree, and 

 the eggs twelve to fifteen in number, the duck 

 sometimes raising two or three broods. The note 

 of this bird is a peculiar whistle, often heard at 

 night, which is its favorite time for feeding. The 

 flesh is white, juicy, and excellent for the table. 

 Alighting on a tree, the long legs give them an 

 ungainly look. When fledged, the birds congre- 

 gate in considerable size on neighboring ponds, 

 often gathering along the shore. The species is 

 known by various names, such as long-legged 

 duck, yellow-bellied fiddler duck, and rufous duck. 



