384 Synopsis of the Birds 



south: very common in the United States and Italy during 

 winter. 



326. Anas Americana, Gm. Mirror green, surrounded by 

 black ; wing-coverts white; tail cuneiform, of sixteen feathers. 



Male, black waved with reddish ; head and neck yellowish- 

 white ; crown cream color; a green band each side of the 

 neck ; breast vinaceous ; throat whitish. 



Female, dark brown, whole head and neck yellowish- 

 white, sprinkled with black. 



American fVidgeon, Anas americana, Wiis. Am. Orn. viii. 

 p. 8G.pZ. 69. Jig. 4. 



Inhabits throughout North America and the West Indies: 

 common during winter in the middle states, breeding to the 

 north, Hudson's Bay, but not extending so far north as 

 the preceding species. Closely allied to the European wid- 

 geon, Anas penelope, of the old continent.* 



327. Anas obscura, Gm. Mirror violet blue, margined with 

 black ; under wing coverts pure white ; tail of sixteen 

 feathers. 



Male and female, blackish brown mixed with paler; nearly 

 alike, female only more brownish. 



Dusky Duck, Anas obscura, Wils. Am. Orn. viii. p. 141. 

 pi 72. jig. 5. 



Inhabits throughout temperate America, where it breeds : 



* Anas penelope, Li. Mirror green, surrounded by black; wing-coverts 

 white. 



Male, black waved with white ; head and neck reddish-chesnut ; crown 

 cream color, no green band ; breast vinaceous ; throat black. 



Female, dark brown ; whole head and neck reddish, sprinkled with 

 black. 



Wigeon, Whcwer or Whim, Lath. Le Canard Siffleur, Buff. pi. enl. 825. 



Inhabits the north of the old continent, not extending to the Arctic cir- 

 cle ; common during winter in Italy ; a few breed in temperate Europe, 

 especially to the east. 



