THE GEESE, SWANS, AND DUCKS. 237 



It nests on the ground, usually near inland waters, but 

 also in hedgerows, and even in the deserted nests of other 

 birds. The nest is of grass lined with down. Eggs, 8 

 to 12, 2]^ inches; greenish white. 



Breeding in a semi-protected state in parts of Norfolk, 

 the Gadwall must be more correctly regarded as a winter 

 visitor, and by no means a common one. The 

 ^ * plumage of this bird is not striking at any 

 distance, and indeed its most distinctive feature is to be 

 found in the laminae of the upper mandible of the bill, 

 which project sideways. The white outer webs of the 

 wing are also somewhat conspicuous. 



Like the last, the Widgeon, though, strictly speaking, 

 a winter visitor, breeds in a few places in the northern 

 counties of Scotland and in most of the islands 

 except the Outer Hebrides. Its nesting in 

 Ireland seems a matter of some uncertainty. It feeds 

 entirely on vegetable matter, and only at night. It may 

 always be remembered that all these drakes assume the 

 plumage of the female during the late summer months. 

 In his brighter dress, the widgeon has a creamy- white 

 forehead, the face and neck reddish brown, spotted with 

 green, and the shoulder white. The nest, of grasses lined 

 with down, is placed on the ground among the rushes. 

 Eggs, 7 to lo, 2^ inches; creamy white. 



The American Widgeon has been recorded but once on 

 sufficient evidence. It is distinguished by a green stripe 

 behind the eye. 



Another winter visitor, the Pintail breeds in a very few 



districts, as in the Hebrides. The head and neck of the 



male are of a reddish brown, the neck being 



bordered with a white stripe ; but the bird is 



chiefly distinguishable by the two very long tail-feathers, 



from which it takes its familiar name, as also that of " Sea- 



