64 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



in North Carolina. One was taken on the property of the Currituck Shooting Club 

 in 1887- Another specimen was killed by L. C. Fenno in Currituck Sound, Novem- 

 ber 23, 1900. (Auk, Vol. XIX, p. 76.) 



46. Mareca americana (Gmel.). BALD PATE. 



Description. Much like the European Widgeon, but head and neck whitish, speckled with 

 black, top of head white; sides of head with bright green patch. Female duller. L., 18.00- 

 22.00; W., 10.00-11.00. 



Range. North America, breeding mainly north of the United States. 



Range in North Carolina. Coastal region in winter. 



FIG. 38. BAL.DPATE (adult male). 



The Baldpate or "Widgeon" is well known to gunners of the coast, where it is 

 found in many bodies of fresh or semi-salt water. Numbers of them frequently 

 come on shore to rest and preen their feathers, but the wary birds are continually 

 on the lookout, and rare it is that the hunter can surprise them while thus engaged. 

 Often when feeding among the rushes they may be located by their oft-repeated 

 notes uttered to their companions in an agreeable conversational tone. The Bald- 

 pate is fond of wild celery. This it is said to be quite dexterous in securing by 

 robbing Canvasbacks and other diving-ducks of their gleanings. Widgeons are 

 commonly found among the wildfowl bought for shipment in Currituck. A male 

 taken at Raleigh, November 12, 1891, is the only inland occurrence of which we 

 have any knowledge. 



Genus Nettion (Kaup.) 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. A white crescent on side in front of wings in male. Green-winged Teal. 

 1. No white crescent on side in front of wings in male. European Teal. 



The European Teal, Nettion crecca (Linn.), is similar to the next species, and the male is 

 distinguished from it chiefly by the absence of the white crescent on side in front of wings. 

 Female and immature specimens are not distinguishable with certainty from the other species. 

 It is accidental in America, and as North Carolina is a great resort for wildfowl, it may pos- 

 sibly occur here. 



