THE WIGEON 



swims well, but does not dive for food, only when wounded. 

 It also spends a good deal of time on land, but is always 

 excessively wary and shy. Its cry is very characteristic, 

 a clear and loud mee-ow, or wee-ow. Its food largely 

 consists of grass, buds, leaves, and shoots of plants, insects, 

 shrimps and molluscs. It feeds by day and by night 

 if left unmolested, but at night only where it is much 

 disturbed. A few Wigeon breed in Scotland and Ire- 

 land, but the majority repair to the Arctic regions for 

 that purpose. The nest is made in May or June, well 

 concealed near the waterside, and made of dry grass 

 and other vegetation, lined with down. The six to ten 

 eggs are creamy white or buffish white. Like other 

 Ducks the female carefully covers them when voluntarily 

 leaving the nest. 



No detailed description of the Wigeon is necessary, 

 but the following diagnostic characters will readily 

 identify the species. The upper tail-coverts are grey, 

 the under tail-coverts black ; the upper part of the head 

 is buff in the male ; in the female the head is chestnut 

 spotted with black. Length 18 to 20 inches. 



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