NORTHWESTERN MEXICO. 313 



Fam. Anatid^. 



270. Anser gamhelii Hartl. 

 Mazatlan, Grayson. 



" From the montli of September until February in considerable flocks ; appear to migrate up and dovra the 

 southern gulf shores." 



271. Bernicla canadensis var. occidentalis Baird. 

 Durango, Grayson. 



"I met with this species in flocks, on the road to Durango, between the Sierra Madre mountains and the 

 city of Durango, in the months of February and March. But I have never seen or heard of one west of the 

 Cordilleras in this locality." 



272. Dendrocygna fulva (Gm.). 

 Mazatlan, Grayson. 



" There are two species of this remarkable genus found in Western Mexico, considerably resembling each 

 other in their general appearance, as well as in their natural habits. They are both natives of the Tropics, 

 and are quite abundant in Western Mexico, as far north as Sonora. Our present species being the most nu- 

 merous in this locality, I will first treat of. 



"At the conclusion of the rainy season, or the month of October, they make their appearance in the vicinity 

 of Mazatlan, San Bias, and southward, in large flocks ; inhabiting the fi-esh water ponds and lakes in the coast 

 region, or tierra caliente, during the entire winter, or dry months, subsisting principally upon the seeds of 

 grass and weeds, and often at night visiting the corn-fields for grain. During these months I have found them 

 in the shallow grass-grown ponds in very large numbers, affording excellent sport to the hunter, and a deli- 

 cious game for the table ; their flesh is white, juicy, and feeding upon gi-ain and seed, is free from the strong 

 or rank flavor of most other ducks ; they are rather heavy or bulky, and usually fat. They are more easy to 

 approach than our northern species ; I have shot as many as fifteen with the two discharges of my double- 

 barrel. When only winged they are almost sure to make their escape, which their long and stout legs enables 

 them to do, running and springing with extraordinary agility, and ultimately eluding pursuit by dodging into 

 the grass, or nearest thicket ; if the water is deep they dive, and as they rise to breathe, having only the head 

 above water, and that concealed among the water plants, they are soon abandoned by the hunter. 



"Although its geographical range is confined within the limits of the Tropics, yet this species has its seasons 

 of periodical migrations from one part of the country to the other ; during the month of April their well- 

 known and peculiar whistle may be heard nightly as they are passing over Mazatlan in apparently large flocks, 

 going northward. At first this phenomenon puzzled me not a little, as I well knew that they are not often 

 found far north of the Tropics, except an occasional straggler. But I was at length enlightened as to their 

 point of destination ; by frequent enquiries of the natives, I was satisfied that they went no farther north 

 than the Mayo and Yaqui Rivers, in Sonora, and the adjacent lakes and lagoons, where they breed. Some, 

 however, remain and breed in the State of Sinaloa, and the adjoining localities. I found young broods near 

 San Bias that were unable yet to fly as late as the month of November. They doubtless rear two or more 

 broods during the season. I never have been able to discover their nest, nor have I been satisfied as to 

 whether they nest in hollow trees, as its near ally does, or whether it forms a nest on the ground among the 

 grass, which latter supposition, I have been informed by the natives, is the case ; the natives also tell me they 

 lay ten to fifteen pure white eggs. It inhabits the region near the seacoast, but is never met with in the sea, 

 and very seldom in the estero or salt water lagoons, being entirely a fresh water duck." 



273. Dendrocygna autumnalis (Linn.). 

 Mazatlan, Grayson, BischofF. 



"The habits of this species are so much like its preceding near ally {D. fulva) as to leave but little room 

 for any additional remarks. It is, however, more nocturnal in pursuit of subsistence, visiting the dry corn- 



MEMOIBS BOST. SOC. NAT. HIST. TOL. II. 78 



