13S COMMON WIDGEON. 



which stud their surface, this seeming to be the limit 

 of their nidification in a southward line, the propor- 

 tion remaining being very small, compared with the 

 flocks which arrive on the winter migration. In se- 

 veral of the lochs of Sutherland, straggling pairs were 

 seen in 1 834, all of which appeared to be breeding, 

 and which indeed, by their manners at that season, 

 first gave us the suspicion that this district was upon 

 the boundary of their southern limit ; and after re- 

 peatedly searching for it, we were at last so fortu- 

 nate as to discover the nest upon a low island in 

 Loch Layghal, thickly covered with fern (pteris 

 aquilina)) interspersed with huge matted patches of 

 rushes, in one of the latter the nest was placed, 

 formed chiefly of the down from the bird, and con- 

 structed on the same plan with those of the teal 

 and wild duck. The female remained until nearly 

 trodden upon, which in fact caused the discovery of 

 her retreat ; at this period the drakes had separated, 

 and were seldom seen in company with the female, 

 though ten days earlier they had been observed to- 

 gether. On the Continent they are also visitants in 

 winter, and according to Temminck, a few pairs re- 

 main to breed in Holland, which may be accounted 

 for most probably by the favourable situations 

 afforded by that peculiar country. Out of Europe 

 they reach Egypt,* and are said to be identically 

 the same in Japan ; t and on the peninsula of India, 

 Mr. Jerdon, states, " Common, in the cold weather, 



f Temminck. 



