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ANAS BAH AMEN SIS 
Uruguay 
Patagonia 
It is much more common on the lower Parana and in Uruguay. Barrows (1884) has reported it 
from Carhue and Tremoleras (1920) from Canelones, Uruguay, but in Buenos Aires Province it 
seems to be a not very plentiful autumn and winter visitor (Durnford, 1878; P. L, 
Sclater and Hudson, 1889; C. H. B. Grant, 1911; E. Gibson, 1920). Durnford (1878) 
says it is found generally south of Buenos Aires, but the only actual record of which I have any 
knowledge is that of Doering (1881) who met with it on the Laguna de Carhue, Rio 
Negro. In the Falklands it is known only as a straggler, one specimen having been 
taken there by Pack (Abbott, 1861). 
It is of irregular occurrence in Chile, appearing commonly in some years and being practically 
absent in others (Quijada, 1910). Our information in regard to its distribution in this country is very 
meager, but I presume that it is confined to the northern and perhaps the central 
parts. L. Fraser (1843) described it as common on the lakes and rivers, but J. R. H. 
MacFarlane (1887) who met with it near xUrica, says it is not veiy common even so far north. James 
(1892) describes it as only an occasional visitor. 
ChUe 
GENERAL HABITS 
Haunts. The Bahama Duck is certainly closely related to the Brown Pintail 
{Anas spinicauda) and somewhat remotely to the Common Pintail {Anas acuta). 
A glance at the map of distribution shows its preference for tropical or semi-tropical 
coastal regions. In the Bahamas its habitat is well described by G. ]\I. Allen (1905). 
He says that on the south side of Great Abaco there is a broad tidewater region 
known as “the marls.” These flats are covered with a thin growth of small man- 
groves, grasses and a few other halophytes, while here and there are little pools sur- 
rounded by taller mangroves. In this region the Bahama Duck spends the entire 
year. Other naturalists have found it in tidal mangrove regions, or salt-ponds in the 
interior of the islands, and in Guiana it is almost confined to the coastal strip. 
H. Burmeister (1856) says it is found in Chile chiefly at the mouths of the larger 
streams, but is rare inland. In Buenos Aires Dr. Wetmore (MS.) found it in the 
interior, but usually at the mouths of fresh-water arroyos where they flow into the 
saline lakes. 
Wariness. The Prince zu Wied (1832), who came across these ducks on the 
Brazilian coast during the earlier years of the past century, considered them shy. 
There is little information which gives one much idea of their behavior in this re- 
spect. Dr. L. C. Sanford told me that a flock of about twenty which he found on 
Andros Island behaved in a peculiar manner. After they had been shot at a few 
times, instead of flying when approached, they would run into the thick mangroves. 
After they had become “educated” he was never able to flush them. 
Daily Movements. Nothing characteristic. 
Gait, Swimming, Diving. This is strictly a surface-feeding duck, although the 
young dive. 
