AMERICAN WIGEON. 295 



Cayenne, where they are called 'vingeon,' or 'gingeon;' 

 are said sometimes to perch in trees; feed in company, 

 and have a sentinel on the watch, like some other birds. 

 They feed little during the day, but in the evening come 

 out from their hiding-places, and are then easily traced by 

 their particular whistle, or whew, whew. This soft note, 

 or whistle, is frequently imitated with success, to entice 

 them within gunshot. They are not known to breed in 

 any part of the United States ; are common in the winter 

 months along the bays of Egg Harbour and Cape May, 

 and also those of the Delaware. They leave these places 

 in April, and appear upon the coasts of Hudson's Bay in 

 May, as soon as the thaws come on, chiefly in pairs ; lay 

 there only from six to eight eggs, and feed on flies and 

 worms in the swamps ; depart in flocks in autumn. These 

 birds are frequently brought to the market of Baltimore, 

 and generally bring a good price, their flesh being excel- 

 lent. They are of a lively, frolicsome disposition, and with 

 proper attention might easily be domesticated." 



Dr. Nuttall says " he has never seen them any where so 

 numerous as in the Neuse river, round Newbern, forty 

 miles from the ocean, where, in company with the Canvass- 

 back and Buffel-head, they are seen constantly in February 

 and March." 



Mr. Audubon says, " This Duck is abundant during win- 

 ter at New Orleans, where it is much esteemed on account 

 of the juciness of its flesh, arid is best known by the name 

 of Zinzin. In the western country, and in most parts of 

 the eastern and Middle States, it is called the Bald Pate. 

 While advancing along the shores of the Bay of Mexico, 

 in April, 1837, I and my party observed this species in 

 considerable numbers ; and during the whole of our stay 

 in the Texas we daily saw, and very frequently procured, 

 Wigeons. There they were found in ponds of brackish 



