WIGEON 115 
Geographical distribution.—Abroad, the Wigeon breeds 
abundantly in Northern Europe, and in small numbers in 
Holland, Denmark, and North Germany. Eastward it nests 
in Central and North Asia, and on the North American 
Continent may be traced round to Alaska. On migration it 
is found over Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, 
Tropical Asia, occurring also along the North American 
sea-board. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial.— Top of head, rich 
chrome-buff ; rest of head and upper neck, warm chestnut, 
the hind part of the latter finely spotted with hght green ; 
chin, black ; lower neck and upper breast, pale pinkish-grey ; 
lower breast and abdomen, white; back and flanks, finely 
pencilled or vermiculated with grey ; wing-coverts, white; 
speculum, green, edged above and below with black; 
narrow pointed secondaries, chiefly black, edged with white ; 
primaries, brown; tail, brown; under tail-coverts, black. 
Adult male, post- nuptial or eclipse.—This plumage is 
assumed about the middle of June. It somewhat resembles 
the female plumage, but is of a much more ruddy hue. 
Adult female nuptial.—Back and wings, mottled greyish- 
brown ; breast and abdomen, greyish-white. 
Adult win ter, male and female.—Similar to the respective 
nuptial plumages. 
Immature, male and female.—Resembles the female in 
plumage. 
Beak. Bright lead-blue, tipped with black. 
Freer. Dark greyish-brown. 
Irtpes. Dark brown. 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
ToTaL LENGTH se cee) kaos une 
WING 10-5) 
BEAK Dior 
'TARSO- METATARSUS Le ee, 
Eae eee ES ae NE ia 
