130 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



4^ [137] Mareca americana (Gmel). 

 Baldpate ; American Widgeon. 



Uncommon transient visitor ; March 22 to 27 ; September 6 to Novem- 

 ber 27. 



The Baldpate is found sparingly in Essex County during the migrations. 

 It frequents especially the ponds, although it is occasionally found in the fresh- 

 water rivers and rarely in the salt creeks. As the Scaups are often called 

 Widgeons by gunners it is necessary to see the birds to be sure of their identity. 



The Baldpate, being unable to dive, makes use of diving Ducks to obtain 

 food in deep water, and has therefore received in some places the name of 

 " Poacher." The bird is so uncommon in Essex County, however, that it has 

 no local name. I have seen a flock of five Baldpates eagerly following half a 

 dozen American Coots that were frequently diving in a pond and bringing up 

 weeds from the bottom. The Baldpates gathered about the Coots as soon as 

 they emerged on the surface and helped themselves to the spoils, tipping up 

 occasionally to catch some sinking weed. They seemed even to be able to per- 

 ceive the Coot coming up through the water, for they would begin to swim 

 towards the spot just before the Coot emerged. The Coots appeared to take 

 the pilfering as a matter of course ; in fact they pilfered from each other, and 

 continued to work for themselves and the poachers. 



The adult male Baldpate may be distinguished by his pale neck and head, 

 the latter becoming almost white on the forehead and crown, by the dark green 

 patch through and behind the eye, by his wine-colored breast, and white 

 abdomen. The females and young when swimming might at a distance be 

 mistaken for female Mallards, although smaller and darker. When they tip up 

 to feed, however, the white abdomen is seen, and this is also displayed when 

 they stand up in the water to flap their wings. In flight, the white abdomen 

 and the abrupt ending of the brown of the breast are also distinct field marks. 

 Another point of difference I have noted when watching the two birds together 

 on a pond, is that the under surface of the wings of the Baldpate is gray, that 

 of the Mallard snowy white. A white bar is visible in the wing of the Baldpate 

 and two are seen in that of the Mallard. 



The distinction between the young Baldpate and the young European 

 Widgeon is a difficult one, but several doubtful specimens from the County 

 submitted to Mr. Brewster were all referred to the American species. 



