SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY 53 



distinguished from our Widgeon or Baldpate drakes by their rufous-brown heads 

 which lack the glossy green patch and by the cream-colored crown which does not 

 stare out so strikingly as does the whiter crown of the Baldpate. In young and 

 female plumage the two species are distinguished in the field with greater diffi- 

 culty, although the richer and more rufous brown of the head and throat, and 

 the less amount of white in the greater wing-coverts of the European species are 

 noticeable points of difference. 



An exact method of recognizing the two species is by an examination of the 

 axillary feathers. These characters are fully described by Dr. J. C. Phillips.^ 

 In a few words it may be stated that the axillary feathers of the American bird 

 are white while those of the European bird are dusky and finely patterned. 



The call-note of the European bird is a distinctive whee-you, while that of the 

 American bird is a single whistling zvhcw rapidly repeated. Dr. J. C. Phillips 

 states that one European Widgeon was shot at Wenham Lake in 1912, two in 

 1914, and four in 1916. 



51 [137] Mareca americana (Gmel.). 



Baldpate; American Widgeon. 



Not uncommon transient visitor. March 22 to 27 ; September 6 to 

 November 27. 



My description of the courtship of this bird is to be found in the Auk.- 



52 [139] Nettion carolinense (Gmel.). 

 Green-winged Teal. 



Not uncommon transient, rare winter visitor. March 23 to April ; September 

 12 to December 9 (winter). 



The early record of March 23 is of a bird taken at Amesbury. in 1889, by 

 Damsell.'' Mr. A. P. Stubbs observed one from January 8 to March 26, 1916, 

 at Hall's Brook, Lynn, in the same place that Wilson's Snipe winter. 



1 Phillips, J. C. Auk, vol. 28, pp. 192, 193, 191 1. 

 ^Townsend, C. W. Auk, vol. 33, p. 15, 1916. 



2 Allen, G. M. Auk, vol. 30, p. 22, 1913. 



