COMMON WIDGEON. 131 



preceded it. From the hallux being slightly lobed, 

 and from the bill having that peculiar blue colour 

 seen in the scaups and pochards, and altogether, al- 

 though its habits of feeding are more goose-like and 

 grallatorial, there is something that assimilates it 

 to the maritime species. * In the south of Scot- 

 land, and throughout England, it may be considered 

 a winter bird of passage, appearing in large numbers 

 late in autumn, or after the broods have gained com- 

 plete winter plumage. They are generally seen now 

 in small parties on lochs or pieces of water, mingling 

 with the mallards and teal, but are easily distinguish- 

 ed from them during flight, by the silvery colour of 

 their lower parts, or in the dusk, by the shrill whistle 

 whence they derive their name of " Whetcer" and 

 " Fistularis," " Siffleur," &c. While on the coasts 

 and estuaries, or more extensive fens, they are often 

 present in immense numbers, and furnish a plentiful 

 supply to the southern markets. In spring they 

 again migrate northwards to their breeding stations, 

 which appear to be principally in Norway and 

 Sweden ; and according to Mr. Dann, they are by 

 far the most plentiful species in Lapland, t In the 

 north of Scotland a limited number breed annually 

 in the vicinity of the lochs, or upon the islands 



* Mr. Waterton considers it a more familiar bird than 

 either the pochard or teal, but in our own shooting practice, 

 we have always found it much more difficult to approach than 

 the latter. That gentleman also considers the widgeon a day 

 feeding bird, living on grass and vegetables. 



f See note in Yarrell. 



