Game Birds and Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast

by Harry Thom Payne

Measurements—Total length of the male, about 18 inches, with the female about an inch less; wing, 9 ¹/₄ to 9 ¹/₂; bill 1 ³/₈ inches.

THE FULVOUS TREE DUCK

(Dendrocygna fulva)

The fulvous tree-duck, commonly called the Mexican tree-duck, and cavalier, as well as the black-bellied tree-duck (Dendrosygna autumnalis), according to the classification of the ornithologist, belong to the subfamily, Anserinæ, 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 (Dendrosygna 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.

Order, ANSERES
Family, ANATIDAE Subfamily, ANATINAE
(Fresh water ducks)

Genus		Species		Common Names		Range and Breeding Grounds
Anas		boschas		Mallard		Throughout the scope of this work. Breeds wherever found.
		strepera		Gadwall		From Central California south. Breeds wherever found.
		americana		Widgeon Baldpate		From British America south. Breeds on the mountain lakes from California south.
		carolinensis		Green-winged teal		From British America south. Breeds throughout its range.
		cyanoptera		Cinnamon teal		From Central California south. Breeds from Central California to Central Mexico.
		discors		Blue-winged teal		From Arizona south into Mexico. Breeds throughout lakes from Mexico north.
Spatula		clypeata		Shoveller or Spoon-bill		From British America south. Breeds on the mountain lakes from Mexico north.
Dafila		acuta		Pin-tail or Sprig		From British America south. Breeds from Central California north.
Aix		sponsa		Wood duck		Along the wooded streams from Central California north. Breeds wherever found.