BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 183 
DENDROCYGNA ARBOREA. (Linn.) 
TREE DUCK. 
Local Name.—Whistling Duck. 
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; rump 
and tail, black; under parts, brownish white, heavily spotted and 
banded upon the sides, the spots becoming very small and faint 
upon the abdomen; most of the primaries s/aée-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. 
