64 



WIGEON. 



COMMON WIGEON. 



PLATE CXCII. FIG. II. 



Anas Penelope, . . . Pennant. Montagu. 

 Mareca Penelope, . . . Selby. Jenyns. 



These birds visit northern countries for the most 

 2)art to breed — Norway, Sweden, and others. They 

 begin to pair by about "St. Valentine's Day." 



Mr. Selby and Sir William Jardine have found the 

 nest in Sutherlandshire, on Loch Laigal, Loch Hope, 

 Loch Shin, and Loch Naver, and also on smaller waters 

 near Lairg. 



They build among rushes, grass, flags, and reeds, or 

 low bushes where there are such, and use the former 

 materials and leaves, in the construction of the nest, 

 the lining being supplied with down from the bird's 

 own body. The situation chosen is the neighbourhood 

 of some lake or river, and the nest itself is cleverly 

 concealed. 



The eggs are from five to eight, or, Meyer says, ten 

 or twelve in number. They are of a fine cream white 

 colour. 



When the hen bird begins to sit, the male retires 

 into seclusion. The incubation of the eggs continues 

 for twenty-four or twenty-five days. The young, as soon 

 almost as hatched, betake themselves to the water. 



