WHITE-FACED TREE-DUCK 141 



voices into which they burst at the moment of rising 

 has a curious effect. 



So extremely social are these Ducks that even when 

 breeding they keep together in large flocks. The 

 nest is made of stems and leaves, on the water among 

 the reeds and aquatic plants j and sometimes large 

 numbers of nests are found close together, as in a 

 gullery. The eggs are pure white, and each bird 

 lays, I believe, ten or twelve, but I am not sure about 

 the exact number ; and I have so frequently found 

 from twenty to thirty eggs in a nest that I am con- 

 vinced it is a not uncommon thing for two or three 

 females to occupy one nest. 



WHITE-FACED TREE-DUCK 



Dendrocygna viduata 



Face and spot on throat white ; nape, neck in front, middle of 

 abdomen, tail, rump, and wings black ; hind neck chestnut ; middle 

 of back and scapulars brown, feathers with fulvous margins ; wing^ 

 coverts olive-black; flanks banded with black and white; bill and 

 feet black ; length 17, wing g inches. Female similar. 



This Tree-Duck resembles that last described in 

 size, form, and maroon-red plumage, but is of a 

 darker tint, and may also be easily distinguished, 

 even at a long distance, by its white face contrasted 

 with the velvety black of the head and neck. One 

 of its vernacular names is Pato viuda (Widow Duck) 



