WIGEON 



COMMON WIGEON. 



PLATE CXCIL FIGURE II. 



Anas penelope, .... PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Mareca penelope, . . . SELBY. JENYNS. 



THESE birds visit northern countries for the most part 

 to breed Norway, Sweden, and others. 



Mr. Selby and Sir Willian Jardine have found their nests 

 in Sutherlandshire, on Loch Laigal, Loch Hope, Loch Shin, 

 and Loch Naver, and also on smaller waters near Lairg. 



They build among rushes, grass, flags, and reeds, or 

 tufts of heather, where there are such, and use the former 

 materials and leaves in the construction of the nest, the 

 lining being supplied with down from the bird's own body. 

 The situation chosen is the neighbourhood of some lake or 

 river, and the nest itself is cleverly concealed. 



The eggs are from seven to ten, or, Meyer says, ten or 

 twelve in number. They are of a fine cream-white colour. 



When the hen bird begins to sit, the male retires into 

 seclusion. The incubation of the eggs continues for twenty- 

 four or twenty-five days. The young, as soon almost as 



hatched, betake themselves to the water. 



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