OCR Text |
Show 394 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON [Apr. 4, Rufescenti-fusca, plumis in centro nigricantibus; dorso postico nigricante ; tectricibus cauda superioribus cum cauda cervinis, rectricibus mediis dilutioribus ; alis obscure schistaceo-nigris, speculo late aneoviridi, supra et subtus fascia saturate cervina marginato et fascia altera subterminali subtus ornato ; secundariorum intimorum marginibus externis cervinis, cum speculi marginibus concoloribus; subtus fuscescenti-cervina, omnino obsolete nigro guttata,gutture toto cum genis et cervice antica pure albis ; rostro nigro, macula ad basin utrinque rubra ; pedibus fuscis : long, tota 180, ala 8*4, cauda rectr. med. 5, ext. 2*8, tarsi 1*5, rostri a rictu 1*9. Fem. mari similis. Hab. British Guiana (Schomb.) ; Praia de Cajutuba, near Para (Natt.); S.E. Brazil (Max. et Burm.); Buenos Ayres (Azara et Burm.); Patagonia (Darwin, King); Falklands (Abbott); Chili (Ph. et Landb.); Galapagos (Darwin et Habel). Linnaeus established his Anas bahamensis upon the Ilathera Duck of Catesby, of which that author tells us a single specimen was procured in the Bahama Islands. Catesby's figure most undoubtedly represents the present species ; but if his locality is correct, the bird obtained was probably a straggler, as we have no other authentic record of its occurrence north of Guiana, where Schomburgk noticed it in flocks on the mouths of the rivers. Azara obtained two specimens of this Duck in a lagoon on the pampas of Buenos Ayres ; and Darwin records it from Bahia Blanca in Northern Patagonia. Burmeister says it is spread abundantly over the whole of Brazil iu ponds and marshes, and that it is nearly the commonest species of Duck there. He also observed it numerous in the La-Plata district, as well as on the Rio Uruguay. It is also common near Buenos Ayres, and is often seen exposed for sale in the market. On the Parana and further westwards Burmeister did not observe it. In Chili it is of uncertain occurrence, some years there being none to be seen, whilst in others it appears in plenty. Philippi and Landbeck remark that it is also found in Peru; but we have not yet seen examples from that locality. Mr. Darwin procured one specimen from a small salt-water lagoon in the Galapagos archipelago in the month of October ; and Dr. Habel also obtained three individuals in that group of islands, and says it is not uncommon there. In the Falkland Islands it appears as a straggler from the mainland. Genus 8. MARECA. Type. Mareca, Stephens, G. Z. xii. pt. 2, p. 130 (1824). . M. penelope. Two Widgeons occur within the limits of the Neotropical Region, one of which is a winter migrant from the north, the other a peculiar Antarctic species of rather abnormal form. 1. MARECA AMERICANA. Le Canard jensen, Buff. Pl. Enl. 955, unde Anas americana, G m . S. N . p 526 (1788). Mareca americana, Steph. G. Z. xii. pt. 2, p. 135 ; Baird, B. of N. A m . p. 783; Cab. J. fur Orn. 1857, p. 227 (Cuba); Scl. & |