THE WHISTLER 343 



higher latitudes, and in New England are most 

 numerous during the cold weather when they 

 are driven from the north country, and on our 

 bays and inner coast line they are the most 

 common ducks of the winter months. The spe- 

 cies is widely distributed, ranging all through 

 the northern hemisphere — a citizen of Europe, 

 Asia and America. "While the Old World va- 

 riety may average a trifle smaller it is proba- 

 bly the same bird. 



The Whistler nests all the way from New 

 England's latitude into the Arctic Circle, or at 

 least, as far north as the forests extend. Many 

 rear their families in the wild country in the in- 

 terior of Maine. Their nests are sometimes 

 built upon the ground, though more frequently 

 in the hollow '^stubs'' of dead trees, the cavity 

 lined with down from the breasts of the expect- 

 ant parents. They lay from six to ten eggs, of 

 a bluish green color, and larger than is the rule 

 with birds of their size. 



The Whistlers seem to be holding their own 

 in the struggle for existence — a thing which can 

 be said of few of the duck family. There is 

 good reason why they should, for there are few 

 ducks so cautious and wary, placing sentinels 



