BAHAMA DUCK 
347 
Flight. On the wing Bahama Ducks look very much like Brown Pintails, but 
are easily distinguished by the white head-patch and the buffy-brown tail, which 
looks much lighter colored than the back. 
In most regions they are not seen in large flocks, but companies up to ten or 
twelve are normal (A. H. Holland, 1892; Goeldi, 1894-1900; E. Gibson, 1920). 
Wetmore {in litt.) saw as many as fifty at a time in western Buenos Aires, and 
Bonhote (1903) claims to have seen flocks of one hundred or more in the northern 
Bahamas. Such aggregations must be very exceptional from what Drs. Barbour and 
Allen have told me of their experiences with the species during a cruise among the 
Bahamas. 
Association with other Species. Over a large part of its range there are no 
other true ducks with which this species could associate, although in the Guianas 
they are said to feed with small water- fowl (Dendrocygnaf), gathering into separate 
flocks at the approach of danger (F. P. and A. P. Penard, 1908-10). In the Argen- 
tine it is not uncommon to see it in the company of the Brown Pintail (A. H. 
Holland, 1892; E. Gibson, 1920). 
Voice. The Bahama Duck is extraordinarily silent, and I do not recall ever 
having heard a note from those I kept, excepting from a male when in full display. 
This bird gave a few very low squeaky notes. Although no satisfactory description 
of the voice has been published, it is certain that it is quite different from that of the 
Brown Pintail. Heinroth (1911) describes the male’s note as a high whistle, but 
Rogeron (1903) did not hear a whistle. He speaks of the note as a barely perceptible 
cry resembling the noise of certain insects, such as the capricorn beetles. I dare say 
this is exactly the same curious low note which I heard. Goeldi (1894-1900) who 
had ample opportunities for observing these birds, considers the male’s note as 
somewhat like that of a domestic duck, but he referred of course to the female, 
and not to the male. 
The female’s voice has never been described, but Dr. Wetmore tells me that it is 
a high-pitched quack similar to that of a female of the Common Pintail. Few have 
heard this call, and I have often listened for it in vain. 
Food. The only careful stomach analyses appear to be those of eight adults and 
two downy young collected by Wetmore (1916) and examined by Mr. W. L. Mc- 
Atee. The birds, which were taken in spring, had been feeding entirely on vegetable 
matter. The seeds of widgeon-grass (Ruppia maritima) were found in every stomach 
and formed 16.25% of the total bulk. The largest number of seeds was 180 in one 
stomach. Foliage, and the antheridia of algae (Chara sp.) made up the remaining 
83.75% of the bulk. The two downy young had eaten animal matter up to 3.5%, 
