(WHITE-WINGED LAKE-DUCK.)
+Erismatura dominica+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 131; _Lee, Ibis_,
1873, p. 137 (Entrerios); _Barrows, Auk_, 1884, p. 274 (Pampas).
+Nomonyx dominicus+, _Baird, Brew., et Ridgw. Water-B. N. A._ ii.
109.
_Description._--Above ferruginous; top of head black; superciliaries
and band beneath the eye with chin and cheeks whitish, with black
freckles; wings brown, with a large white patch on the secondaries;
tail black; abdomen dirty white, sprinkled with rufous; axillaries
pure white; bill bluish; feet black: whole length 13·0 inches, wing
5·5, tail 3·8. _Female_: brownish black, back spotted with buffy;
sides of head and body beneath ochraceous, with black cross bands.
_Hab._ West Indies and South America.
This Lake-Duck, which has an extensive range over the northern part of
South America, was obtained by Mr. Lee in Entrerios, and by Mr. Barrows
in the streams of the Pampas. Mr. Barrows found it associated with
Rolland's Grebe, Coots, and Gallinules, usually in small parties of from
three to six individuals.
Order XI. COLUMBÆ.
Fam. XLI. COLUMBIDÆ, or PIGEONS.
The great and useful Order of Pigeons is generally diffused over the
earth's surface, although most abundant within the tropics, and not met
with in high Arctic or Antarctic latitudes. In the Neotropical Region
from 60 to 70 species are found, and among these, although none of
them can rival the Fruit-Pigeons of the Eastern Tropics, are some of
remarkable beauty and grace. These brilliantly-coloured species are,
however, mostly from the northern portion of the Neotropical Region. The
Columbæ of the Argentine Republic are in general modestly clad and fewer
in number, only eight Pigeons being as yet included in the Argentine
Ornis.