BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 85 



always are gray. This character appears to be constant in 

 both sexes. Dr. John C. PhiUips has pubHshed, in Forest 

 and Stream, a drawing that shows at a glance the appearance 

 of the axillars in each species, drawn from adult male speci- 

 mens. These are reproduced herewith. If, with this distinc- 

 tive mark in view, sportsmen will make careful examination 

 of the Widgeons or Baldpates taken in this country, it may 

 prove that the European species is less uncommon than 

 hitherto has been supposed. Dr. Phillips has found, by com- 

 paring the axillars, that four birds taken at Wenham Lake 

 are referable to the European species. The probability is 

 that this bird is a permanent resident in North America, and 

 breeds on this continent. 



We now (1915) have evidence that increases this probability. 



Since the first edition of this book was written the number 

 of s|)ecimens recorded in this countrj' has increased consider- 

 ably. The following records are from Massachusetts and New 

 York: — 



One was shot November 7, 1902, by Mr. A. C. Dyke, at 

 Nippinicket Pond, Bridgewater.^ A young male was taken at 

 Bridgewater, November 9, 1903, by IVIr. J. E. Bassett. It is now 

 in the collection of Mr. A. C. Bent. Another bird in the same 

 plumage was taken at Ipswich on October 25, 1909, and was 

 identified in a Boston market; now in the collection of Mr. F. 

 Seymour Hersey.- A flock of four was seen at Bridgewater on 

 October 22, 1910. Two of these were shot by Mr. Harry P. 

 Sturtevant. A single bird was taken October 23, 1910, at 

 Bridgewater by Mr. A. C. Dyke.^ Two young males were seen 

 on Jamaica Pond, Boston, by Mr. Horace W. Wright, on Octo- 

 ber 24, 1913. '^ Two males seen on Jamaica Pond, December 

 22, 1913, by Messrs. Horace Wright and Rich. Marble.^ Two 

 adult males seen at Gardiner's Island, N. Y., on December 3, 

 1911.5 



> Dyke, Arthur C: Auk, 1912, p. 536. * Wright, Horace W.: Bird Lore, 1914, p. 28. 



= Hersey, F. Seymour: Auk, 1914, p. 243. 5 Miller, VV. deW.: Auk, 1912, p. 235. 



3 Wright, Horace W.: Auk, 1914, p. 397. 



