THE WIGEON 
swims well, but does not dive for food, only when wounded. 
It also spends a good deal of time on land, but is always 
excessively wary and shy. Its cry is very characteristic, 
a clear and loud mee-ow, or wee-ow. Its food largely 
consists of grass, buds, leaves, and shoots of plants, insects, 
shrimps and molluscs. It feeds by day and by night 
if left unmolested, but at night only where it is much 
disturbed. A few Wigeon breed in Scotland and Ire- 
land, but the majority repair to the Arctic regions for 
that purpose. ‘The nest is made in May or June, well 
concealed near the waterside, and made of dry grass 
and other vegetation, lined with down. ‘The six to ten 
eggs are creamy white or buffish white. Like other 
Ducks the female carefully covers them when voluntarily 
leaving the nest. 
No detailed description of the Wigeon is necessary, 
but the following diagnostic characters will readily 
identify the species. ‘The upper tail-coverts are grey, 
the under tail-coverts black; the upper part of the head 
is buff in the male; in the female the head is chestnut 
spotted with black. Length 18 to 20 inches. 
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