BALDPATE; AMERICAN WIDGEON 



137. Mareca americana. 19 in. 



Wing coverts and top of head white; rest of head and 

 neck finely specked with black; speculum and broad 

 stripe back of eye, green; female, similar but with the 

 whole head specked, and with no green on the ears. 

 They can usually be identified at a distance by the ab- 

 sence of any dark areas, and when flying by the white- 

 ness of the underparts. Baldpates are common and well 

 known birds throughout North America, where they are 

 called by a great variety of names, most of which refer 

 to the bald appearance of the top of the head, owing to 

 the white feathers. Their food consists of mollusks, 

 insects, grain, and tender shoots of grass; their flesh is, 

 consequently, very palatable and they are much sought 

 as table birds. 



Notes. A shrill, clear whistle. 



Nest. Of grass, lined with feathers from the breast 

 of the female; situated on the ground in tall gra?s near 

 the water's edge. 8 to 10 buff eggs (2.15x1.50) : June. 



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