TREE DUCKS* 



Intermediate between the true geese and the ducks 

 are the so-called tree ducks, belonging to the genus 

 Dendrocygna. Of these, two species are found along 

 our southern border, and occasionally afford some sport 

 to gunners. They are rather duck-like in form, but 

 have very large heads and feet, the tarsus being reticu- 

 late instead of scutellate, like the ducks. In other 

 words, the skin of the tarsus is covered by small scales, 

 looking like a network, instead of by broad, deep scales 

 which overlap in front. This, it will be remembered, 

 is a character of the geese (Anserine^). Moreover, 

 the tarsus in the tree ducks is equal to or longer than 

 the middle toe, instead of being shorter than it. The 

 lower part of the thigh is naked, and the hind toe is 

 extremely long. 



This group appears to have relationship with the Old 

 World sheldrakes, and with the goose-like genus 

 Chenalopex, rather than with either the ducks or the 

 geese. They are birds of tropical distribution, and in 

 the United States are found only along the southern 

 border. One species is common in the West India Isl- 

 ands. None of them, however, is sufficiently abun- 

 dant to be considered as furnishing gunning, but two of 

 the three species belong in the list of our water fowl. 



