THE WICEON. 281 



Yenesei, where the Wigeon is very abundant, especially on 

 the banks of the borderland where the forest merges into 

 the tundra not far north of the Arctic Circle." 



Nest. — The nests, according to Mr. Seebohm, are well con- 

 cealed, generally close to the margin of a lake or pond, and 

 are placed in the long grass and sedge, often under a willow- 

 bush. Like those of most Ducks which breed in the Arctic 

 Regions, they are very deep, well lined with dead grass and 

 sedge, and, when the full clutch is laid, contain a quantity of 

 down with which the eggs are covered when the female leaves 

 the nest. 



Egjs. — From seven to ten in number, more rarely twelve 

 being found; buffy-white or cream-colour. Axis, 2*o-2*25 

 inches; diam., i-45-i'55. 



Down. — Extremely dark chocolate-brown with a dull star 

 of white, and dull whitish filaments at the end of the down. 

 The general aspect, however, is dark brown, the white being 

 scarcely visible. 



II. THE AMERICAN WIGEON. MARECA AMERICANA. 



Anas amei'icana, Gm. S. N. p. 526 (1788); Seebohm, Br. B. 



iii. p. 543 (1885). 

 Mareca americana, Macg. Br. B. v. p. 90 (1852) ; B. O. U. 



List Br. B. p. 124 (1883); Saunders, ed. Yarr. Br. B. 



iv. p. 403 (1885) ; id. Man. Br. B. p. 427 (1889) ; Salvad. 



Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxvii. p. 233 (1895). 



Adult Male. — Differs from M. pcnelope in having the upper 

 part of the head whitish instead of buff, the sides of the head 

 and upper neck whitish, thickly spotted with black, and a broad 

 patch of green extending from behind the eye to the hinder 

 nape; bill light greyish-blue, black at the end; legs and feet 

 light bluish; iris brown. Total length, 18 inches; culmen, 

 1-6; wing, io'2 ; tail, 4*4; tarsus, 1-4. 



Adult Female. — Differs from the female of M. pe?ieIope in 

 having the head and neck much whiter, the light part of the 

 feathers being whitish instead of reddish-brown. Total length, 

 i6'5 inches; culmen, 1-4; wing, 9*6; tail, 3-2; tarsus, 1-5. 



