WIDGEON. 119 



It is essentially a fresh-water species, and keeps to 

 lakes and rivers, and when these freeze resorts to sounds 

 within the beach, where the water may be brackish, or 

 travels on southward to milder climes. The Widgeon 

 is one of the wariest of our Ducks, suspicious of every- 

 thing, and not only is unwilling to approach any spot or 

 object of which it is afraid, but, by keeping up a contin- 

 ued whistling, alarms all the other Ducks in the vicinity, 

 and consequently renders itself very disagreeable and 

 at times a considerable nuisance to the sportsman. How- 

 ever, its flesh is so tender and palatable, and it is such a 

 pretty and gamy bird, that one is inclined to forgive many 

 of its apparent shortcomings. The usual note of this 

 Duck is a low, soft whistle, very melodious in quality, and 

 when on the wing the members of a flock keep continu- 

 ally talking to each other in this sweet tone as they speed 

 along. They fly very rapidly, and usually high in the 

 air, in a long, outstretched line, all abreast, except, per- 

 haps, the two ends are a little behind the center bird, who 

 may be considered the leader. When only moving from 

 place to place in the marsh, and but a short distance 

 above the ground, they proceed usually without any 

 order or regularity, reminding one sometimes of a flock 

 of pigeons. The pinions are moved with much quick- 

 ness, and the long primaries give a sharp-pointed shape 

 to the wing that causes the birds to be easily recognized. 

 Flocks composed of a number of Widgeon and Sprig- 

 tail are often seen, and the combination is a very un- 

 favorable one to a sportsman who may be hoping for a 

 quiet shot at close range. 



As the birds approach the decoys some Widgeon will 

 whistle and edge out to one side, as much as to say, *' It 

 may be all right, but I don't like the looks of it," and he 

 will be followed by another suspicious member. Then 



