I)L)C:KS, geese and S\\-ANS of NOKTJI AiMEHIOA. 



89 



DENDROCYQNA AUTUMNALIS {Linn). 

 Black-bellied Tree-Duck. 



Adnlt : Forelieiul, tawny lirown, shading into blacli on tlie occiput, forming' a black stripe 

 whicli continues down tlie liack of the necl<. Sides of head and upper neck, brownish gray; 

 throat, grayisli white ; lower neck, breast, and upper back, pale chestnut brown ; some of the 

 feathers washed with gray; under tail coverts, black and white; rest of under parts, black ; 

 under surface of wing, black; axillars, smoky black; greater i)(>rtion of primaries, dull 

 black; the outer webs of inner primaries and secondaries, partl_v white (all except the two 

 outer feathers) ; bill, coral red or flesh color tinged with orange: above nail, blackish; legs 

 and feet, pinkish white or pale flesh color. The sexes are alike. 



Wing, O.SO; tarsus. 1.S5; bill (culmen), l.SO; bill (angle of moulli to tip), 2. 



T>en<lro^'>'giia autunill;ilis. 



The Black-bellied Tree-Duck rangers from Southern Texas and .Southern 

 California to Mexico, and Central America, being replaced in Soitth America 

 by a variety, D. aulnmnali» dixcoJor. It does not occur in Eastern North 

 America. 



It breeds commonly in Mexico, the eggs being laid in a hollow tree, usu- 

 al! \' from twelve to sixteen in number and yellowish white, or greenish white. 

 It is also said to breed in Trinidad, where it is cluimed to be common. 



