. Nests and eggs of North American birds. Birds; Birds. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 103 177. BLACK-BELLIED TREE-DUCK. Dendrocgffna autumnalis (Linn.) Geog. Dist.—Southwestern border of the United States and southward (Mexico, West Indies, etc.) The Autumnal Tree-duck is a species of variegated plumage and long legs. It inhabits the southwestern border of the United States and southward to Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America. It is commonly called "Long-legged Tree- ; Along the Rio Grande in Mexico and Texas it is abundant from April to October and later. Dr. Merrillfound it
. Nests and eggs of North American birds. Birds; Birds. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 103 177. BLACK-BELLIED TREE-DUCK. Dendrocgffna autumnalis (Linn.) Geog. Dist.—Southwestern border of the United States and southward (Mexico, West Indies, etc.) The Autumnal Tree-duck is a species of variegated plumage and long legs. It inhabits the southwestern border of the United States and southward to Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America. It is commonly called "Long-legged Tree- ; Along the Rio Grande in Mexico and Texas it is abundant from April to October and later. Dr. Merrillfound it common in Southern Texas. He says: "This large and handsome bird arrives from the South in April, and is soon found in abundance on the river banks and lagoons. Migrating at night it continually utters a peculiar chattering whistle, which at once indicates Its presence. Called by the Mexicans palos maizal, or Corn-field Duck, from its habit of frequenting those lo- calities. It is by no means shy, and large numbers are Offered for sale in the Brownsville market. Easily domesticated, it "becomes very tame, roosting at night In irees with chickens and turkeys. When the females- begin to lay, the males leave them and gather in large flocks on saiid-bars in the river. My knowledge of the . breeding habits is derived from Dr. S. M. Pinley, U. S. A., who had ample oppor- tunity of observing these birds at Hidalgo. The eggs are deposited in hollow trees and branches, often at a considerable distance from water (two miles), and from eight to thirty feet or more from the ground. The. eggs are placed on the bare wood, and are from twelve to sixteen in number. Two broods are raised, and the parent carries the young to the water in her bill. Twelve eggs received from. Dr. Finley average , with but little variation in size; they are of the usual duck shape, and in color are a rather clear yellowish-white. The birds leave in September, but a tew late broods are seen as
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