NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 83 



Siberia. The shores of the White Sea to the eastward, are supposed 

 to be the great breeding places of this bird.* 



The eggs are grayish-white and measure 3.71 x 2. 38. 



176. PMlacte canagica (SEVAST.) [598.] 



Emperor Goose. 



Hab. Coast and islands of Alaska. 



A notable species known also as the Painted Goose from its varie- 

 gated plumage. It inhabits the coast of Alaska, north of the peninsula, 

 chiefly about the shores of Norton Sound, and is abundant about the 

 mouth of the Yukon. The color of the plumage is a bluish-gray, 

 with lavender shading and positive black crescent-shaped marks. The 

 head is white, often with a yellowish tinge ; the throat black, speckled 

 with white, and the tail is also white ; the feet are flesh-color. It breeds 

 north as far as Bering Strait. 



Dr. Coues says the eggs of this species are about five in number; 

 size, 3.35x2.00; white, with fine, pale-brown dotting, giving a general 

 pale, dirty-brown color. 



177. Dendrocygna autumnalis (LINN.) [599.] 



Black-bellied Tree-duck. 



Hab. Southwestern border of the United States and southward. 



The Autumnal Tree-duck is a species of variegated plumage and 

 long legs. It inhabits the southwestern border of the United States 

 and southward to Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America. 

 It is commonly called " Long-legged Tree-duck." Along the Rio 

 Grande in Mexico and Texas it is abundant from April to October and 

 later. Dr. Merrill found it common in Southern Texas. He says: 

 " This large and handsome bird arrives from the South in April, and is 

 soon found in abundance on the river banks and lagoons. Migrating 

 at night it continually utters a peculiar chattering whistle, which at 

 once indicates its presence. Called by the Mexicans patos maizal, or 

 Corn-field Duck, from its habit of frequenting those localities. It is by 

 no means shy, and large numbers are offered for sale in the Brownsville 

 market. Easily domesticated, it becomes very tame, roosting at night 

 in trees with chickens and turkeys. When the females begin to lay, 

 the males leave them and gather in large flocks on sand-bars in the 

 river. My knowledge of the breeding habits is derived from Dr. S. M. 

 Finley, U. S. A., who had ample opportunity of observing these birds 

 at Hidalgo. The eggs are deposited in hollow trees and branches, 

 often at a considerable distance from water (two miles), and from eight 

 to thirty feet or more from the ground. The eggs are placed on the 

 bare wood, and are from twelve to sixteen in number. Two broods 



*Yarrell, III, p. 74. 



