98 TREE DUCK. 



the solitary, deep, and muddy creeks, ponds, and 

 mill-dams of the interior of the country, making its 

 nest frequently in old hollow trees that overhang the 

 water ; sometimes among the branches : it usually 

 lays thirteen eggs, which are, as in the case of the 

 Wild Duck, usually covered with down : the eggs 

 are oval, the surface exceedingly fine grained, and 

 of the highest polish, and slightly yellowish. 



This bird seldom flies in flocks of more than three 

 or four individuals together, and most commonly in 

 pairs, or singly. The common note of the male is 

 peety peet ; but when on the watch he sees danger, 

 he makes a noise not unlike the crowing of a young 

 Cock, resembling oe eek ! oe eek ! Their food con- 

 sists chiefly of acorns, seeds, and insects : they are 

 often tamed, and will breed in confinement. 



TREE DUCK. 



(Anas arborea.) 



AN. grisea, capite sitbcristato, abdomine albo nigroque maculato. 

 Griseous Duck with the head slightly crested, the abdomen 



spotted with black and white. 

 Anas arborea. Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. 207. Gmel. Syst. Nat. 1. 



540. Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 852. 

 Auas fistularis Jamaicensis. Briss. Orn. 6. 403. Rait, Syn. 



192. 

 Black-billed Whistling Duck. Edw. Glean, pi. 1 93. Penn. Arct. 



Zool. 2. 492. Lath. Gen. Syn. 6. 499. 



