484 
LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 
Colonel Grayson’s acquaintance possessed a pair of these Ducks, which she said 
were as good as the best watch-dog ; he himself had a pair which were equally 
vigilant, and very docile. 
Dr. J. C. Merrill writes me that this large and handsome Duck arrives from the 
South, in the vicinity of Fort Brown, in April, and soon thereafter becomes abundant 
on the river-banks and lagoons. Migrating at night, it continually utters a very 
peculiar chattering whistle, which at once indicates its presence. The Mexicans call 
it Pato maizal, or Cornfield Duck, from its habit of frequenting those localities. It 
is by no means shy, and large numbers are offered for sale in the Brownsville market. 
It is easily domesticated, and becomes very tame, roosting at night in the trees with 
the Chickens and Turkeys. When the females begin to lay, the males leave them 
and gather in large flocks on sandbars in the river. Dr. S. M. Finley, U. S. A., who 
had had ample opportunity of observing these birds at Hidalgo, informed Dr. Merrill 
that the eggs are deposited in hollow trees and branches, often at the considerable 
distance of two miles or more from water, and from eight to thirty feet above the 
ground. They are placed on the bare wood, and are from twelve to sixteen in number. 
Two broods are raised in a season, and the parent carries the young to water in her 
bill. Twelve eggs received from Dr. Finley average 2.11 inches by 1.53, with but 
little variation in size ; they are of the usual Duck-shape, and in color are a rather 
clear yellowish white. The birds usually depart in September, but a few very late 
broods are seen even in November. 
The eggs of this species from the Berlandier Collection, from Tamaulipas, Mexico 
(Smithsonian Institution, No. 743), are of an ivory-white color, with a greenish 
tinge. In their shape they are of a rounded oval. Three eggs have the following 
measurements : 2.00 by 1.50 inches ; 2.30 by 1.60 ; 2.10 by 1.60. 
Dendrocycna fulva. 
THE FULVOUS-BELLIED TREE DUCK. 
Penelope mexicana, Briss. Orn. YI. 1760, 390 (Mexico). 
Anas fulva, Gmel. S. N. I. ii. 1788, 530 (ex Briss. 1. c.). 
Dendrocygna fulva, Burm. Raise La Plata, 1856, 515 . — Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 770; ed. 1860, 
pi. 60 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 575. — Coues, Key, 1872, 284 ; Cheek List, 1873, no. 486 ; 
2d ed. 1882, no. 705 ; B. N. W. 1874, 558. 
Dendrocycna fulva, Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 600. 
Anas virgata, Max. Reise Bras. I. 1820, 322. 
Pato roxo y negro, Azara, Apunt. III. 1805, no. 436. 
Anas bicolor, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. V. 136 (ex Azara, 1. c. ). 
Anas collaris, Merrem, in Evscli u. Grub. Ene. Set. i. Yol. XXXV. 31. 
I Dendrocygna major, Jerdon, Birds India, III. 790 (India!). — Sol. P. Z. S. 1866, 148 (Madagas- 
car !). 
Hab. Southern border of the United States, north to Central California and Western Nevada 
(Washoe Lake), east to Louisiana. Mexico; Southern South America. India? Madagascar? Not 
recorded from Northern South America (except Trinidad), Central America, or the West Indies. 
Sp. Char. Adult : Head, neck, and lower parts deep reddish ochraceous, passing into cinna- 
mon on the flanks, where the longer feathers have a broad medial stripe of pale ochraceous, bor- 
dered by dusky. Crown inclining to ferruginous ; nape with a distinct black stripe, commencing 
at the occiput. Middle of the neck dirty whitish, minutely streaked with dusky, beneath the sur- 
face. Prevailing color above brownish black, the dorsal and scapular feathers broadly tipped with 
the color of the lower parts ; lesser wing-coverts tinged with rusty chestnut. Upper tail-coverts 
immaculate white ; crissum yellowish white. Bill and feet black, in the dried skin ; in life, “ bill 
bluish black, legs light slaty blue” (Merrill). Sexes alike. Young not seen. 
