Species VIII. ANAS AMERICANA. 



AMERICAN WIDGEON. 



[Plate LXIX. Fig. 4.] 



Le Canard Jensen, PL Enl. 955. — Buff, ix., p. 174. — Arct. Zool. No. 502. — Lath. 



Syn. III., p. 520. 



This is a handsomely marked and sprightly species, very common in 

 winter along our whole coast, from Florida to Rhode Island ; but most 

 abundant in Carolina, where it frequents the rice plantations. In 

 Martinico great flocks take short flights from one rice field to another 

 during the rainy season, and are much complained of by the planters. 

 The Widgeon is the constant attendant of the celebrated Canvas-hack 

 Duck, so abundant in various parts of the Chesapeake Bay, by the 

 aid of whose labor he has ingenuity enough to contrive to make a good 

 subsistence. The Widgeon is extremely fond of the tender roots of 

 that particular species of aquatic plant on which the Canvas-back 

 feeds, and for which that Duck is in the constant habit of diving. The 

 Widgeon, who never dives, watches the moment of the Canvas-back's 

 rising, and before he has his eyes well opened, snatches the delicious 

 morsel from his mouth and makes off". On this account the Canvas- 

 backs and Widgeons, or as they are called round the bay. Bald-pates, 

 live in a state of perpetual contention. The only chance the latter 

 have is to retreat, and make their approaches at convenient opportu- 

 nities. They are said to be in great plenty in St. Domingo and 

 Cayenne, where they are called Vingeon or Gingeon. Are said sometimes 

 to perch on trees. Feed in company and have a sentinel on the watch, 

 like some other birds. They feed little during the day, but in the 

 evenings come out from their hiding places, and are then easily traced 

 by their particular whistle or whew whew. This soft note or whistle 

 is frequently imitated with success, to entice them within gunshot. 

 They are not known to breed in any part of the United States. Are 

 common in the winter months along the bays of Egg Harbor and Cape 

 May, and also those of the Delaware. They leave these places in April, 

 and appear upon the coasts of Hudson's Bay in May, as soon as the 

 thaws come on, chiefly in pairs ; lay there only from six to eight eggs ; 

 and feed on flies and worms in the swamps ; depart in flocks in autumn.* 



* Hutchins. 



(84) 



