AMERICAN WIDGEON, OR BALD-PATE, 295 



windy, half moonlight night, provided the wind does not blow 

 frora you, as the Ducks may smell you; in fact, it is always 

 necessary to get to the leeward of Wild Fowl of all kinds, as 

 their power of scenting is very great. The English variety is 

 easily " domesticated in places where there is plenty of water, 

 and are much admired for their beauty, sprightly look, and 

 frolicsome manners." The same is said of the American Wid- 

 geon. 



Bald-Pates can be decoyed within gunshot by imitating their 

 peculiar shrill note. Not apt to dart at Decoys off points, ex- 

 cept in foggy weather. They are migratory, and breed in the 

 North, on the coast of Hudson's Bay; they visit the rice fields 

 of the South during the winter in considerable numbers, and 

 are much esteemed by the planters as an article of food. 



For further information on the subject of Widgeon, we beg- 

 to refer the reader to Colonel Hawker, the Magnus Apollo of 

 Wild Fowl Shooting, as he has very justly been styled. 



