20D GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



although perhaps bearing a still nearer affinity to the Widgeon. 

 They stool well to Mallard decoys, and their note is very similar to 

 that of the latter. They rarely dive except when w^ounded, and 

 they then cUng to the roots at the bottom for a long time. The 

 methods of shooting the Gadwall are identical with those 

 employed in hunting Mallard or Sprig-tails. 



Mareca ^enelope.—^€(by. European Widgeon. 



Head and neck reddish-brown, top of head creamy or brown- 

 ish-white, its sides with mere traces of green, otherwise similar 

 to the next species. This species is an accidental visitor to our 

 coasts. Gunners should always be on the lookout for such birds, 

 and when specimens are secured, should have them preserved. 



Mareca amerlcana. — Steph. American Widgeon. Bald-pate. 



Head and neck greyish, dusky speckled, top of head white, its 

 sides with a broad green patch, upper parts brownish-black and 

 light brownish-red, breast brownish-red, under parts white ; weight 

 about one pound fourteen ounces. 



The Widgeon is abundant throughout North America, although 

 much more common in the Western States than along our sea- 

 board. They are unusual in New England, although occasionally 

 shot along Long Island coasts. They are plenty in Chesapeake 

 Bay, where they associate with the canvas-back, and are said to 

 have a trick of stealing from the latter the wild celery upon which 

 both feed. They rarely dive themselves, but wait for the canvas- 

 back to reappear with the succulent roots, when the Widgeon 

 makes at him and snatches away the morsel. 



The call of this bird is a plaintive whistle of two tones and 

 three notes of nearly equal duration. They stool well to any 

 shoal-water duck decoys, and answer their call. The Widgeon is 

 rather more shy than the ducks with which they associate, their 

 flesh is excellent, and the modes of shooting the same as those al- 

 ready detailed. 



Querqicedula crecca. — Steph. English Teal. 



No white crescent in front of wing, long scapulars, black ex- 

 ternally, internally creamy, otherwise like carolinensis, A Euro- 

 pean species casual on the Atlantic coast. 



