( 307 ) 



three inches; the feathers on the nape rather long ; lower neck and 

 sides of the breast, with a portion of the upper part of the breast, 

 reddish-brown ; rest of the lower parts white, excepting a patch of 

 black at the base of the tail ; under tail-coverts same color ; flanks 

 brown, barred with dusky ; tail grayish-brown, tipped with white ; 

 two middle feathers darker and longest ; upper tail-coverts white, 

 barred with dusky ; lower part of the hind-neck, and fore part ot 

 the back undulated with brownish and light brownish-red, hind part 

 undulated with grayish-white ; primaries brown ; outer webs of 

 inner secondaries black, margined with white — inner webs grayish 

 brown ; secondary coverts white, tipped with black ; speculum 

 brilliant green, formed by the middle secondaries. Length twenty. 

 one inches, wing ten and a half. Female smaller, plumage duller, 

 without the green markings. 



This species, nearly allied to the European Widgeon, passes the 

 summer in the dreary North, where it breeds. In this vicinity I 

 have never known it to be numerous — in the Southern States it is 

 more abundant. During the Spring and Autumn it is distributed 

 throughout the Union, visiting the interior as well as the sea-coast. 

 It subsists chiefly on vegetable diet, and when in good condition is 

 prized as game. The Widgeon, or " Bald-pate " as it is sometimes 

 called, is said to be great annoyance to the "Canvass-back." — 

 The latter, when diving for food is frequently attended by the for- 

 mer. " The instant it rises, the Widgeon seizes the delicate mor- 

 sel, and flies off with its prize." 



ANAS PENELOPE— LINN. 



WIDGEON. 



Le Canard siffleur, BulTon. 



Anas Penelope Widgeon, Bewick's British Birds. 



Anas Penelope Widgeon, Lawrence, N. Y. L)C. N. H. 



Specific Character — Bill along the gap one inch and eleven-six- 

 teenths, higher at the base than A. Americana, and the black bor- 

 dering wanting; point of bill punctured; whole under covering of 

 wing ash-gray. 



