i62 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



out British America, as far north as lat. 70°, and 

 southwards to the most northern United States — 

 Dakota, Minnesota, etc. 



Breeding habits : The American Wigeon reaches its 

 more southerly breeding grounds in April or early in 

 May, but it is about a month later in the high north. 

 Although gregarious during the winter the flocks 

 disperse in spring, and breed in scattered pairs. Of the 

 pairing habits of this Duck nothing appears to be 

 known. The favourite nesting haunts of the American 

 Wigeon are swampy grounds, either on the treeless 

 tundras, or near the prairie lakes, and rough marshy 

 grounds studded with trees and bushes. The nest 

 appears always to be made on the ground, often 

 beneath the shelter of a tuft of rushes or coarse grass, 

 or under a bush, a dry patch of ground being selected 

 if possible. The nest is merely a hollow lined with dry 

 grass or a few leaves, to which, however, is added a 

 thick and abundant lining of down and a few feathers. 

 The bird is a close sitter, remaining on the nest until 

 almost trodden upon, and when flushed flying straight 

 away, with little or no demonstration. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the American Wigeon are from six to 

 twelve in number. They are creamy-white or pale buff 

 in colour. Average measurement, 2*2 inches in length 

 by 1*5 inch in breadth. Incubation is performed by the 

 female, but the duration of the period has not been 

 determined. 



Diagnostic characters: The eggs of the American 

 Wigeon cannot be distinguished from those of the 

 Common Wigeon, and as the down is not described, it 

 is impossible to say whether it is of any service in 

 identifying the eggs. The locality is of value, for the 

 Common Wigeon docs not breed in the New World. 



