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WIGEON. 



COMMON WIGEON. 



PLATE CXCII. PIG. II. 



Anas penelope, PENNANT. MONTAGTT. 



Mareca penelope, SELBT. JENYNS. 



THESE birds visit northern countries for the most part to breed 

 Norway, Sweden, and others. They begin to pair by about 

 'St. Valentine's Day.' 



Mr. Selby and Sir William Jardine have found the nest in Sutherland- 

 shire, 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 low bushes 

 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 five to eight, 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. 



