82 MARECA. WIGEON. 



very prominent. Tongue fleshy, with a deep median groove, 

 on each side of which is an oblique series of flattened horny 

 papilla?, a double series of lateral filaments, its breadth nearly 

 equal throughout, the tip thin and rounded, (Esophagus of 

 moderate width, considerably enlarged before entering the 

 thorax, and again narrowed ; proventriculus oblong. Stomach 

 a very large, transversely elliptical gizzard, placed obliquely, 

 with very large muscles, and thick rugous epithelium, forming 

 two roundish, flat, grinding surfaces. Intestine very long, 

 rather wide, enlarging toward the cceca, which are very long 

 and of moderate width ; rectum very short. 



Trachea nearly uniform ; the lower larynx with several 

 rings united so as to form an irregular dilatation, bulging out 

 into a rounded sac on the left side ; bronchi of moderate 

 length and width. 



Nostrils elliptical, sub-basal, in the fore part of the nasal 

 membrane. Eyes small. Aperture of ear small. Legs very 

 short ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus compressed, with 

 small anterior scutella ; hind toe very small, with a narrow, 

 but distinct lobe ; outer toe considerably shorter than the 

 third, which is longer than the tarsus ; interdigital membranes 

 full, the outer slightly emarginate ; claws small, well arched, 

 compressed, acute. 



Plumage dense, soft, and blended ; feathers of the head 

 and upper neck softer, those along the top of the head and 

 nape rather long ; of the other parts moderate, oblong ; sca- 

 pulars elongated and acuminate. Wings rather long, narrow, 

 pointed, of twenty-five quills ; primaries narrow, the first and 

 second longest ; inner secondaries elongated, tapering, acumi- 

 nate. Tail small, short, tapering, of sixteen stiffish, acumi- 

 nate feathers. 



The males have the scapulars, inner secondaries, and 

 tail-feathers, more elongated and acuminate than the females, 

 from which they also difier in having the colour of the plum- 

 age more varied. The Wigeons frequent marshy places, 

 pools, lakes, and rivers, feed on seeds, grass, roots, insects, 

 and mollusca ; immerse their necks while swimming ; walk 

 with ease, often betaking themselves to di-y pastures, and 

 have a rapid flight. 



