FULVOUS TREE DUCK 139 



nesting occurred in 1872; and the birds were hatched on August 4 (P. L. Sclater, 

 1883). The nest was on the ground and was concealed by a dome formed by the long 

 grass surrounding it. Two birds which were hatched, were unfortunately killed by 

 rats (P. L. Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1880, p. 510). 



It has been bred at Woburn Abbey, on the estate of the Duke of Bedford (A vie. 

 Mag., new ser., vol. 6, p. 306, 1908) where both Dendrocygna autumnalis and Den- 

 drocygna discolor have also hatched out broods. It was kept there in a free-flying 

 state for several years according to what Mr. F. E. Blaauw told me. It was said 

 never to have bred in the Paris Gardens (de Montlezun, 1889). This duck is also 

 said to have been bred by Mr. Henry Cook, of Woodbury, Long Island, New York 

 (Job, 1915). 



Finn (1915) says that they fight much in captivity, striking out with their feet 

 and springing out of the water; but I have never seen them quarrel. 



The price varied from £3 10s. to £5 a pair in England, and the New York Zoo- 

 logical Society used to pay about $6.00 each. The price to individual fanciers was 

 of course a little more, and varied with the time of the year. They were selling in 

 New York in June, 1920, for $17.00 per pair. 



In confinement they have been known to live for at least thirteen years (P. L. 

 Sclater, 1883) and very likely that is by no means the limit. 



There is no true domestication of the species. Like other Tree Ducks they are 

 often reared from wild-caught young or wild-gathered eggs hatched under hens. 

 They are kept by natives both because of their value as food and for use as pets. 

 Very likely the natives also value them for their usefulness in sounding an alarm at 

 the approach of strangers. 



