The Fulvous Tree Duck 



canonization awaits those who break with established custom, or aspire to 

 leadership. Behold it is written that all "valid" bird records shall be 

 established in blood. First martyrdom and then the "crown" of official 

 recognition. 



D. autumnalis does not, so far as known, nest upon the ground, 

 choosing rather the hollow of some large tree. Of its further characteris- 

 tics Dr. Brewer has said : l 



"This duck perches with facility on the branches of trees, and when 

 in cornfields, upon the stalks, in order to reach the ears of corn. Large 

 flocks spend the day on the bank of some secluded lagoon, densely bor- 

 dered with woods or water-flags, also sitting among the branches of trees, 

 not often feeding or stirring about during the day. When upon the wing 

 this bird constantly utters its peculiar whistle of pe-che-che-ne, from which 

 its native name is derived. Colonel Grayson noticed that it seldom 

 alights in deep water, always preferring the shallow edges or the ground ; 

 the cause of this may be the fear of the numerous alligators that usually 

 infest the lagoons." 



No. 379 



Fulvous Tree Duck 



A. O. U. No. 178. Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot). 



Description. — Adults (sexes alike): General color yellowish brown, deepening 

 on crown to Prout's brown, lightening on chin and upper throat to cinnamon-buff; 

 shading on breast through clay-color to sayal brown, or even russet on sides; wings, 

 rump, and tail, chiefly black, the tawny element shading into black on back and scapu- 

 lars by successive narrowing of tawny tips, thus presenting a scaled appearance; a 

 black median line along the hind-neck and an indistinct zone of mingled dusky and 

 buff in fine streaks around middle neck; lesser and middle wing-coverts chiefly rich 

 chestnut, the flanks striped with buff bounded by dusky; the crissum and distal portion 

 of upper tail-coverts light buff. Bill and feet grayish black. Immature birds are 

 somewhat lighter below and have back less distinctly scaled by tawny. Length of 

 adult male about 525 (20.67); wing 2134 (8.40) ; bill 45.2 (1.78); tarsus 55.4 (2.18). 

 Females average a little less. 



Recognition Marks. — Crow size; tawny and black coloration; feet and legs 

 relatively enormous, projecting far beyond end of tail in flight. No black on belly, 

 as contrasted with D. autumnalis. Note a "squealing whistle." 



Nesting. — Nest: A well built basket of wire-grass, sedges, or narrow-leafed 

 cattails, on ground of marsh, or built up out of shallow water in shelter of reeds. No 

 special lining, and presence of down accidental. Also occasionally nests in hollow trees 

 (fide Emerson). Eggs: 12 to 16 (of one female); 28 to 32 of record (two or more females 

 contributing); short ovate, dull white or yellowish white, with surface of a somewhat 

 leathery consistency. Av. size 50.3-55.8 by 34.3-41.8 (1.98-2.20 by 1. 35-1. 65). Season: 

 First week in June; also Apr. 28, May 5, 6, 13, and 14, 1900, F. S. Barnhart; one brood. 



1 Baird. Brewer and Ridgway, Water Birds of N. A.. Vol. I. (1884). p. 483 

 I876 



