MARECA.—NETTIUM. 211 
eames 
Fronte et pileo summo fulvescenti-albis ; capitis lateribus ct collo rufescenti-fulvis, nigro punctulatis; regione: 
postoculari metallice viridi, fulvo fasciata; interscapulio et scapularibus vinaceis, illo mediano et his . 
minute nigro fasciatis ; dorso imo et uropygio fere’nigris; supracaudalibus nigris, medianis crebre albo 
vermiculatis, externis fulvo marginatis; prapectore, corporis lateribus et hypochondriis vinaceis, his 
minute nigro fasciolatis, pectore et corpore reliquo subtus albis ; subcaudalibus nigris; tectricibus alaram 
minoribus et medianis cinerascenti-brunneis, majoribus albis nigro terminatis ; tectricibus primariorum 
et remigibus cinerascenti-brunneis, secundariis medianis externe nigris basin versus paullo viridibus, 
secundariis intimis externe nigris, albo marginatis; rectricibus cinerascenti-brunneis, externis albo 
irregulariter marginatis; subalaribus griseis; axillaribus albis: rostro pallide cinereo, ungue nigro ; 
pedibus pallide eyanescentibus ; iride brunnea. Long. tota circa 20-0, ale 10-5, caude 4:0, culm. 1:5, 
tarsi 1-5. (Descr. maris adulti ex Duefias. Mus. nostr.) 
2 noteo nigro, plumis cinerascenti-brunneo marginatis; scapularibus fulvo limbatis; alis caudaque ut in 
mari coloratis, secundariis intimis saturate brunneis; pileo nigro rufescenti-fulvo variegato; fronte et 
capite reliquo, gutture et collo pallide arenariis, minute nigro striolatis; corpore subtus albo, prepectore 
et subcaudalibus rufescenti-brunneo alboque fasciatis, marginibus pallidioribus; corporis lateribus et 
hypochondriis fulvescenti-brunneis. Long. tota circa 19-0, ale 9-5, caudex 3°5, culm. 1: 5, tarsi 1°5. 
(Descr. feminse adultze ex Duefias. Mus. nostr.) 
d juv. feminw adult similis, sed letius colorata, et clarius maculata. 
Hab. Nortu America, from the Arctic Ocean south in winter, breeding chiefly north of 
the United States *—Mexico (Wagler 13), Cachuta, Sonora (Robinette *), Hermosillo 
(errari-Perez*), Presidio de Mazatlan (Forrer 1”), Mazatlan (Grayson ®), Valley 
of Mexico (Herrera, Sumichrast }°), Guanajuato (Dugés 8), east coast of Mexico 
(Dresser); GuaTemaLa, Duefias!®, Chiapam!, Lake of Atitlan5, Laguna §, 
Acapam’, San Gerdnimo (0. S.).—Trinipap !!; West Inpres !2.—Occasional in 
Europe "4, 
The American Wigeon breeds throughout the Arctic and Subarctic Regions of North 
America, and in winter ranges south over the inland waters and on the sea-coasts as 
far as Central America, being frequently found in large flocks. In Mexico, Mr. Dresser 
states that he noticed the species on the east coast!!; and Grayson records it as 
abundant near Mazatlan, on the west, from November until late in spring*. We 
found this bird common on the Lake of Atitlan in Guatemala®, in May, and also near 
the village of Laguna ®, as well as on the Pacific coast of that country ?2. 
In winter, when the Wigeon visits the United States, it frequents the freshwater 
pools and lakes, and feeds on roots and seeds of water-plants, insects, molluscs, &c.; 
but on certain parts of the coast the bird, like the Canvas-back Duck, subsists on the 
roots of Vallisneria. 
The nest is placed on high and dry ground, at some distance from water; it is a 
mere depression in the soil, lined with the bird’s own down. The eggs are of a creamy 
er-ivory-white colour. 
NETTIUM. 
Nettion, Kaup, Natiirl. Syst. p. 95 (1829). 
Nettium, Salvad. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvii. p. 238 (1895). 
The members of this genus differ from the Wigeons (Mareca) and the rest of the 
27* 
