(Dendrocygna fulva)
The fulvous tree-duck, commonly called the Mexican tree-duck, and
cavalier, as well as the black-bellied tree-duck (=Dendrocygna
autumnalis=), according to the classification of the ornithologist,
belong to the subfamily, =Anserinae=, the same family as the geese. The
fact that they have a bill more like that of the goose than any other
duck, a goose neck also, and that there is no difference in the sexes
will show the reason for such classification. Their generic name,
however, signifies tree-swan. The fulvous tree-duck ranges on our
hunting grounds as far north as Sacramento, where occasionally one is
killed. They come here only to breed and, therefore, late in the
season. Quite a few are killed in southern California, and from
Arizona and Lower California south they are very plentiful. The
black-bellied tree-duck is only met with as a straggler north of
Chihuahua, Mexico. Another species of the same genus (=Dendrocygna
elegans=) is a still more southern bird, seldom seen north of the
state of Guerrero.
=Color=--Sides of head and neck and lower parts, buff; top of head,
back of neck and back, dark brown; wings, dark brown; neck, long and
slim; bill, resembles that of a goose very much. Both sexes alike.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nests are generally built in a hollow tree or
stump. The eggs number from ten to fifteen and are of an ochreous
white.
=Measurements=--Wing, about 9-1/2; bill, 1-3/4 inches.