214 ANATID.E. 



In the months of April and May the Blue-wing teal 

 reappear from their southern sojourn, and are again 

 dispersed over the country. Their flight, like that of 

 many other of their kind, is very rapid ; but they have a 

 habit peculiar to themselves of alighting with great 

 abruptness, dropping through the air like a stone over 

 the spot on which they intend to rest. Their favourite 

 resorts are sheltered mud banks, where, after feeding, 

 they sit preening their feathers and enjoying the warmth 

 of the early summer sun. At such times it is not diffi- 

 cult to get within shot ; indeed they are habitually less 

 wary and cautious than any of their kind. 



The American Widgeon (Mareca Americana) differs 

 from that of Europe in several respects, the most im- 

 portant being in the formation and smaller size of the 

 trachea. The external differences are also sufficiently 

 marked, for it is a larger bird, and its neck and 

 cheeks, in lieu of chestnut, as in the latter, are yellowish 

 white, speckled with black ; the top of the head is cream 

 colour and on either side green. The bill is longer, more 

 slender, and of darker colour than that of the European 

 bird. They migrate to the Middle and Southern States 

 in small flocks in October, but return generally in pairs 

 at the break-up of winter to the Hudson's Bay districts, 

 where they breed. They are not so common as many of 

 the above kinds. 



