AXSERIX.E — THE GEESE — DEXDROCYCNA. 



486 



Wing, 8.10-8.90 inches ; eulnien, 1.65-1.95 ; tarsus, 2.1()-2.Jii ; niidilk- too, 2.3(»-:i.h(i. 

 The chief vumtion noticed in this species is u .sli;,'ht one in tlie precise simde of the tints. 

 Specimens from Buenos Ayres are larger tiian those from Mexico, 1)Ut are otlierwise similar. 



The Brown Tree Duck has a very (Iiff(M'Piit geographical distribution from that of 

 the D. atitiimiKilis, as it is not known to occur in the nortluM'u iiortions of South 

 America (excepting Trinidad), Central America, or the West India Islands. It is 

 found, however, in Mexico, and extends northward near the J'acific coast of tlie 

 United States through portions of California and Nevada, and has also been met 

 with in Texas and Louisiana. 



Mr. J. Hepbnrn met with this species breeding in the extensive marshes near the 

 junction of the Sacramento and the San Joaqnin rivers, in the summer of lvS(;4 ; Dr. 

 Cooper also mentions seeing a flock of this species flying over the Sacramento east- 



Avard, in June, IcSGi"); and Mr. JF. 1>. Morse ])rocure(l an example near San Francisco, 

 which is now in the nuiseum of the Boston Xatui'al History Society. 



A single individual of this species was killed near Xew ( )rleans on the 22d of 

 January, 187<>, by ^Ir. X. J>. ^Foore, -and was by him ]iresent(Ml to the Smithsonian 

 Institution. This is the flrst. and at ]n'esent the only, recorde<l instance of the occur- 

 rence of tliis species so far to tlie east, although it has been known for some time 

 as an inhabitant of California. The first instance on record of its occurrence in that 

 State was the capture of a sjiecimen near Fort Tejon by Mr. Hunter. 



^[r. Dresser refers to this as the '' liui'dus Long-legged Duck.'' stating that he 

 observed it occasionally near lirownvilli', in Texas. In June lu' found it in great 

 abundance on Galveston Island. A German whom he saw carrying one told him that 

 birds of this species were found there, and afterward took him to their chief place 

 of resort, a lake in the middle of the island, and toM him also that it bred there, but 

 very late in the season. This was in the month of June, and breeding had not then 

 begun. Dr. J. C. ^Ferrill states that this Duck is about as common as the I), autuw- 

 nafls in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas. Like that species, it is only a summer 

 visitor, ami both siM>cies frequent the same localities ; but their notes while flying 

 are quite different. Dr. Finley did not meet with this species at Hidalgo. 



This Duck is spoken of as occurring sparingly in Southern South America. Bur- 





