(WHITE-FACED TREE-DUCK.)
+Dendrocygna viduata+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 515 (Tucuman);
_id. P. Z. S._ 1872, p. 367; _Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S._ 1869, p.
160 (Buenos Ayres), et 1876, p. 376; _Durnford, Ibis_, 1878, p.
64 (Buenos Ayres).
_Description._--Face and spot on the throat white; nape, neck in
front, middle of abdomen, tail, rump, and wings black; hind neck
chestnut; middle of back and scapulars brown, the feathers margined
with ochraceous; wing-coverts olivaceous black; flanks banded with
black and white; bill and feet black: whole length 17·0 inches, wing
9·0, tail 2·5. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ South America.
This Tree-Duck resembles that last described in size, form, and
maroon-red plumage, but is of a darker tint, and may also be easily
distinguished, even at a long distance, by its white face contrasted
with the velvety black of the head and neck. Compared with _Dendrocygna
fulva_ it is a rare species, being usually found in pairs in the Plata
district, although sometimes as many as half a dozen are seen together.
When taking wing it also whistles, but differently from the allied
species, having three long clear whistling notes, not unlike the
three-syllabled cry of the Sandpiper, only the notes are more prolonged.
Of its breeding-habits I know nothing.