64 



amongst the thick coarse herbage. The female 

 lays from eight to ten eggs, rather pointed at one 

 end, of a pale buff hue tinged with green. 



DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEOK 



ANAS AMEBICANA, Omel. 



This bird is very similar in size and appearance 

 to the Common Wigeon. The greatest distinction 

 appears to be the difference in the size and form of 

 the enlarged part of the wind-pipe, that of the 

 European being much larger than that of the 

 American species. Only two of these birds have 

 been noticed in this country, and these were pro- 

 cured in a London market during the winter of 

 1837 and 1838. They are abundant during winter 

 in New Orleans, being found in great numbers all 

 along the shores of the Bay of Mexico, where they 

 frequent not only the ponds of brackish water, but 

 also the fresh- water streams. They appear in May, 

 chiefly in pairs, upon the coast of Hudson's Bay, 

 where they remain to breed, departing in the 

 autumn. The female is said to lay six to eight 



DUCK, COMMON WIGEON. 



ANAS PENELOPE, Lin. 



The Wigeons begin to make their appearance 

 in Britain towards the end of September, and depart 



