122 ANATID^. 



together, and when in flocks they sing in concert. At night they are 

 heard about nine o' clock in the evening, and again just before dawn. 

 It is not unusual, however, to hear them singing at other hours. 



The nest is a large fabric placed among the low rushes and water- 

 lilies, and is sometimes seen floating on the water, away from its moor- 

 ings. The eggs are five, pointed at one end, pure white, and in size 

 like the eggs of the domestic goose. The young are clothed in yellow 

 down like goslings, and follow the parents about from the date of 

 hatching. 



Fam. XL. ANATID.E, OR DUCKS. 



The Anatidse or Waterfowl are a well-known family of universal 

 distribution over the earth's surface. As shown in an article published 

 in the Zoological Society's 'Proceedings' for 1876*, upwards of 60 

 species of this group of birds are found in the Neotropical Region, and 

 of these about 22 occur in the Argentine Republic. Amongst the 

 Argentine species are some of the finest and most ornamental of the 

 whole family, such as the Black-necked Swan, the Ashy-headed Goose, 

 and the Chiloe Wigeon all well known from their introduction and 

 acclimatization in Europe. . 



It may be remarked that nearly all the Argentine members of this 

 family belong to Antarctic forms, and are specifically different from 

 those met with in North America. 



335. BERNICLA MELANOPTERA (Eyton). 

 (ANDEAN GOOSE.) 



Chloephaga melanoptera, Burm. La-Plata Eeise, ii. p. 513 (Cordilleras). 

 Bernicla melanoptera, Burm. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 365 ; Sol. et Salv. P. Z. S. 

 1876, p. 362; iid. Nomencl. p. 128. 



Description. White ; wing-feathers black ; scapulars and tail greenish black ; 

 greater wing-coverts externally purplish, forming a speculum ; smaller wing- 

 coverts white ; anterior scapulars spotted with brown, posterior scapulars brown 

 with a greenish tinge: whole length 30-0 inches, wing 17-5, tail 6-5. Female 

 similar, but smaller. 



Hob. Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and Northern Chili. 

 Dr. Burmeister met with this fine Goose on the Rio Blanco in 

 the province of San Juan, within the confines of the Argentine 



* A Revision of the Neotropical Anatidee," by P. L. Sclater and 0. Salvin, P. Z. S. 

 1876, p. 358. 



