"The eggs of the Indian dwarf goose, or 'cotton teal,' are generally truly elliptical in form, occasionally compressed at the smaller end, very smooth and glossy, and cream-color. They measure from 39 to 44 in length and from 30 to 35 in breadth." (Oates.)
This little bird is the only species of goose so far recorded from the Islands; it occurs on the Laguna de Bay and a few specimens were secured in Tarlac Province, Luzon. Oates lists three eggs of this species as having been collected in Siquijor by the Steere Expedition but Steere does not mention the species. A large goose has been reported as occurring in the northern part of Luzon but no specimen has been taken.
b1. Central tail-feathers not greatly lengthened.
c1. No wing-speculum; lower portion of tarsi with small reticulate scales in front. ... Dendrocygna (p. 187) c2. Wing-speculum present; lower portion of tarsi with transverse scutella in front.
d1. Larger; bill broader; culmen more than 50 mm.
e1. Bill uniform blackish. ... Anas (p. 189) e2. Bill with a broad yellow band at the tip. ... Polionetta (p. 190)
d2. Smaller; bill narrower; culmen less than 45 mm.
e1. Larger; wing more than 230 mm. ... Mareca (p. 191) e2. Smaller; wing less than 215 mm.
f1. Secondary-coverts brown; greater part of head and neck chestnut in adult. ... Nettion (p. 192) f2. Secondary-coverts blue-gray; head and neck not chestnut. ... Querquedula (p. 195)
b2. Central tail-feathers greatly lengthened. ... Dafila (p. 194)
a2. Bill flattened and spatulate. ... Spatula (p. 196)
General color largely blackish and reddish or yellowish brown; breast more or less spotted; no bright colored speculum nor white wing-patch; inner web of first primary deeply scooped near its middle; next three quills slightly emarginate.
b1. Fore part of head white. ... viduata [21] b2. Fore part of head brown; breast rufous-chestnut with small black spots. ... arcuata (p. 187)
a2. Wing-coverts blackish brown; breast and sides marked with round white spots. ... guttulata (p. 189)
Anas arcuata Horsfield, Zool. Res. in Java (1822), pl. 65. Dendrocygna arcuata Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1895), 27, 153; Oates, Cat. Birds' Eggs (1902), 2, 158. Dendrocygna arcuata Sharpe, Hand-List (1899), 1, 214; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 37.