112 'DUCK SHOOTING. 



Mountains. It is not commonly found in New Eng- 

 land, yet Mr. Boardman has reported it as found near 

 Calais, Me., and it occurs occasionally on Long Island. 

 Further to the south, however, in Chesapeake Bay and 

 on the coasts of North and South Carolina, it is a com- 

 mon bird in winter, occurring in great flocks and 

 eagerly sought after for its flesh, which is very highly 

 esteemed. 



The widgeons reach the United States usually in the 

 month of October, and great numbers of them winter 

 in the Southern States. On the Atlantic coast they are 

 constantly found associated with other species of fresh- 

 water ducks, as well as with the canvas-backs and the 

 redheads. It is said that they especially seek the com- 

 pany of the canvas-backs when these are feeding, and 

 that they rob them of the grasses and celery which 

 they bring up from great depths, which the widgeons 

 could never reach. At all events it is certain that they 

 associate with the canvas-backs, and no doubt they 

 feed largely on the leaves of the plants of which the 

 canvas-backs eat the roots. Certain it is that at these 

 times and in these places the flesh of the widgeon is so 

 excellent that it cannot be distinguished from that of its 

 larger and more famous companion. 



The widgeon is regarded as one of the shyest of our 

 ducks. Of it Mr. D. G. Elliot, in his admirable book 

 on the "Wild Fowl of North America," says : "The 

 widgeon is one of the wariest of our ducks, suspicious 

 of everything, and not only is unwilling to approach 

 any spot or object of which it is afraid, but by keeping 



