The Whistling Swan 



capable of a stoical fortitude in remaining away from her nest while it is 

 under inspection; and too much "monkeying" will entail desertion. 



The eggs of the Fulvous Tree Duck are quite unlike those of any other 

 American species (save, of course, D. autumnalis) . They are of a dingy 

 yellowish white color with a dull leathery, but not an oily, surface, a little 

 rounder than ordinary ducks' eggs, and decidedly small for the size of the 

 bird. Because they are so unmistakable, we are able to trace the found- 

 lings in many another duck's nest besides those of her own species. Thus, 

 Ruddies and Red-heads are especially apt to be imposed upon by these 

 easy-going Orientals. 



Whether, indeed, the Fulvous Tree Duck nests otherwise than upon 

 the ground (or in the water) in California, we do not know. Mr. Emer- 

 son's note, 1 often quoted, throws a little light upon the subject, but its 

 inference has never been confirmed: "On May 23, 1882, while collecting 

 with Wm. C. Flint at Lillie's ranch near Tulare Lake, I noticed a Fulvous 

 Tree Duck sitting in the entrance hole of a large white oak near one of the 

 ditches, but it was out of the question to reach it. Again, on May 26, 

 another was located sitting on the edge of a hole high up in a white oak." 

 D. javanica, a closely related species found in India, is known to nest not 

 only in hollow trees and on the ground, but also in old nests of herons, 

 crows or kites. D. arcuata and D. eytoni of Australia nest only upon the 

 ground and often at considerable distances from the water. 



Whatever their parentage, the little Whistling Two-colored Tealduck- 

 swangooses manage to get their growth and escape to the Southland 

 before the fall shooting starts in. As a consequence of its comparative 

 immunity from gun-fire, the species may be slowly gaining in numbers. 

 But Los Bafios, at least, is infested by coons, weasels, minks, skunks, 

 coyotes and, worst of all, wild hogs. 



No. 380 



Whistling Swan 



A. O. U. No. 180. Olor columbianus (Ord). 



Description. — Adult: Entire plumage pure white, the head sometimes tinged 

 with rusty; bill and lores black, the latter usually with a distinct yellow spot near eye; 

 feet and legs black. Immature: Plumage ashy gray, the head and neck tinged with 

 brownish; bill and feet light. Length about 1371.6 (54.00); extent seven feet; wing 

 539.8 (21.25); ta il 2I 5-9 (8.50); bill 101.6 (4.00); tarsus 99.1 (3.90); middle toe and 

 claw 137.2 (5.40). 



'See Condor, Vol. I., p. 11, in article by A. M. Shields. 



1882 



