( 307 ) 



three inches ; the feathers on the nape rather long ; lower neck and 

 sides of the breast, with a portion of the upper part of the breast, 

 reddish-brown ; rest of the lower parts white, excepting a patch of 

 black at the base of the tail ; under tail-coverts same color ; flanks 

 brown, barred with dusky; tail grayish-brown, tipped with white ; 

 two middle feathers darker and longest ; upper tail-coverts white, 

 barred with dusky ; lower part of the hind-neck, and fore part ot 

 the back undulated with brownish and light brownish-red, hind part 

 undulated with grayish-white ; primaries brown ; outer webs ot 

 inner secondaries black, margined with white — inner webs grayish 

 brown ; secondary coverts white, tipped with black ; speculum 

 brilliant green, formed by the middle secondaries. Length twenty. 

 one inches, wing ten and a half. Female smaller, plumage duller, 

 without the green markings. 



This species, nearly allied to the European Widgeon, passes the 

 summer in the dreary North, where il breeds. In this vicinity I 

 have never known it to be numerous — in the Southern States it is 

 more abundant. During the Spring and Autumn it is distributed 

 throughout the Union, visiting the interior as well as the sea-coast. 

 It subsists chiefly on vegetable diet, and when in good condition is 

 prized as game. The Widgeon, or " Bald-pate " as it is sometimes 

 called, is said to be great annoyance to the "Canvass-back." — 

 The latter, when diving for food is frequently attended by the for- 

 mer. " The instant it rises, the Widgeon seizes the delicate mor- 

 sel, and flies off with its prize." 



ANAS PENELOPE— LINN. 

 WIDGEON. 



Le Canard sifflciir, Buffon. 



Anis Penelope Wiilgeon, Bewirk's Brilifh Birds. 



Anas Penelope Wtclgeon, Lawrence, N. Y. 1/)C. N. H. 



Specific Characler — Bill along the gap one inch and eleven-six- 

 teenths, higher at the base than A. Americana, and the black bor. 

 dering wanting ; point of bill punctured ; whole under covering of 

 wing ash-gray. 



