BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 1 83 



DEXDROCVGNA ARBOREA. {Linn.) 

 Tree Duck. 



Local Name. — Whistlino- Duck. 



o 



Winter Plumage. — Head, with black band on the crown, con- 

 tinuing in narrow stripes to the nape; forehead and over the eye, 

 reddish brown, shading into dull white on the throat, and mottled 

 brown and white on the sides of the head and neck ; breast and 

 upper parts, brown, the feathers broadly edged with tawny; rumjD 

 and tail, black; under parts, brownish white, heavily spotted and 

 banded upon the sides, tl:e spots becoming very small and faint 

 upon the abdomen ; most of the primaries slaie-color, becoming 

 brownish at the tips ; legs and bill, black. 



Length 21, wing 11.25, tarsus 2.60, bill 2. 



This interesting species is one of the largest of its family. It 

 is a resident, and is not uncommon on some of the larger islands. 

 It generally frequents the inland ponds, which are surrounded by 

 a thick growth of mangroves, and for that reason is not often seen. 

 We found it quite abundant on Andros Island on the ponds situated 

 a few miles from the mouth of Fresh Creek. 



