172 DENDROCYGNA ARBOREA 



them walking about with their broods. In a very few years, however, these destruc- 

 tive animals almost succeeded in exterminating the species; but the survivors took 

 refuge in different nesting sites, perhaps in deep swamps. They then gradually in- 

 creased in numbers. In Porto Rico, where they were said to be abundant in 1864 

 (Taylor, Ibis, ser. 1, vol. 6, p. 172, 1864) and later, Wetmore (1916) in 1911 found 

 them representing a vanishing species, a condition due chiefly to the drainage of 

 swamp-lands and probably also to the mongoose. In Cuba, though still abundant 

 in the great swamps and lagoons of the south coast, particularly the Cienaga de 

 Zapata, I am told that the draining of swamps and other agricultural improvements 

 have greatly diminished their number in the western part of the island. The mon- 

 goose is also present in that region although still absent from the rest of the island. 



Enemies. Dr. Thomas Barbour informs me that the boas (Epicrates) are said by 

 the natives to rob Tree Ducks of their eggs in Cuba. Crocodiles no doubt catch some 

 young, as these animals are very plentiful on that island. The mongoose is now dis- 

 tributed over most of the Lesser Antilles, besides Jamaica, Santo Domingo and west- 

 ern Cuba. On the whole the future of this species is not a bright one. 



Damage. Where numerous, the damage caused by these birds to palm seeds, 

 which are useful as fodder for pigs, is considerable (Gundlach, 1875). The same writer 

 states that they also resort to rice-fields. According to Gosse (1847) they are busy 

 in the millet-fields and they do particular damage to the guinea-corn, by dashing into 

 it forcibly, in compact flocks, and breaking it down. 



Food Value. The flesh of these birds has been invariably described as excellent. 



Hunt. As early as 1839 D'Orbigny was told that native hunters waded out naked 

 into the water and took the birds, who through curiosity would allow themselves to 

 be closely approached. But the favorite method is to wait for them when they come 

 to the palm trees at sundown. They are said to decoy readily to an imitation of their 

 whistling note (Gundlach, 1875). 



Behavior in Captivity. Edwards (1743-51) drew his plate from a specimen 

 living in the garden of Sir Charles Wager, in England. Latham (Synopsis, vol. 3, 

 pt. 2, p. 499, 1785) received a specimen from Jamaica and kept it in his garden some- 

 time before 1785. The London Zoological Gardens had specimens before 1831 (P. L. 

 Sclater, 1880). 



The species certainly breeds very rarely in confinement. Besides Mr. F. E. 

 Blaauw's (1912) record for Holland there are only two other instances of its having 

 reproduced. In the Cologne Gardens, Bodinus (Journ. f. Ornith., vol. 20, p. 72, 



