SPECIES 8. 



AMERICAN WIDGEON. 



[Plate LXIX. Fig. 4.] 



L? Canard Jensen, PL Enl. 955. BUFF, ix, p. 174. Arct. ZooL 

 JVo. 502. LATH. Syn. in, p. 520. PEALE'S Museum, No. 3798. 



THIS is a handsomely marked and sprightly species, very 

 common in winter along our whole coast, from Florida to Rhode 

 Island; but most abundant in Carolina, where it frequents the 

 rice plantations. In Martinico great flocks take short flights 

 from one rice field to another during the rainy season, and are 

 much complained of by the planters. The Widgeon is the con- 

 stant attendant of the celebrated Canvass back Duck, so abun- 

 dant in various parts of the Chesapeake Bay, by the aid of 

 whose labour he has ingenuity enough to contrive to make a 

 good subsistence. The Widgeon is extremely fond of the tender 

 roots of that particular species of aquatic plant on which the 

 Canvass back feeds, and for which that Duck is in the constant 

 habit of diving. The Widgeon, who never dives, watches the 

 moment of the Canvass back's rising, and before he has his eyes 

 well opened, snatches the delicious morsel from his mouth and 

 makes off. On this account the Canvass backs and Widgeons, 

 or as they are called round the bay, Bald pates, live in a state 

 of perpetual contention. The only chance the latter have is to 

 retreat, and make their approaches at convenient opportunities. 

 They are said to be in great plenty at St. Domingo and Cayenne, 

 where they are called Vingeon or Gingeon. Are said some- 

 times to perch on trees. Feed in company and have a centinel 

 on the watch, like some other birds. They feed little during; the 

 day, but in the evenings come out from their hiding places, and 

 are then easily traced by their particular whistle or whew tvhew, 

 This soft note or whistle is frequently imitated with success, to 



