ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — MARECA. 519 



The Common Widgeon of the Pidajarctic Region is entitled to a place in the fauna 

 of North America on rather more than the ordinary grounds of an occasional straggler. 

 It has been found on different occasions in Greeidand, has been taken on Long Island, 

 is not infrequently seen exposed in the New York markets, and conies within our 

 fauna on the racitie coast. Two instances are on record of its occurrence in Illinois. 

 HolboU mentions its presence in Greenland — a young male procured in 1851, and 

 sent to the Royal Museum of Copenhagen. Besides this, Professor Reiuhardt men- 

 tions having seen two other specimens — young birds obtained in ISouth Greenland. 



Mr. Giraud refers to an individual shot in the Bay of Long Island in December, 

 1842. This is now in the collection of Mr. George N. Lawrence, of New York. Rich- 

 ardson was coutident that this si^ecies occurs in the wooded districts of the Fur 

 Country, and that it breeds northward to latitude 68° N. 



According to Dr. Cooper this bird is a not infrequent visitor to California. He 

 has seen rpiite a number in the collections of Mr. F. Grulier and of Mr. Lorquin in 

 San Francisco, where they are frequently sold in tlie market. Their habits are said 

 to be similar to those of the M. americana. 



According to Mr. Dall, this species is not uncommon among the Ducks brought in 

 by the native hunters of Unalashka. One was obtained there Oct. 12, 1871. It is a 

 winter visitor, and migrates about May 1. It was also met with by Air. Elliott on 

 the Prybilof Islands, where, as he states, it is seldom seen, never in pairs, does not 

 breed, the few individuals observed being apparently wind-bound or astray. 



In the Paliiearctic Region it has a very extended distribution, occurring throughout 

 Europe and Asia, from Iceland and Siberia southward, and as far eastward as China 

 and Japan. It was found in Formosa by Mr. Swinhoe, and at Hakodadi in Japan by 

 Mr. H. Whitely (" Ibis," 1867). In Siberia, according to iMiddeudorff, it occiu's in 

 the wooded or forest regions. Mr. C. W. Shepard met with a few breeding in the 

 north of Iceland and in the neighborhood of Lake My-vatn, where it was the rarest 

 of the birds found breeding in that locality. Occasionally one or two were seen, 

 but they were very shy, and it was impossible to say in what numbers they existed 

 there. Only one bird with its nest was obtained; but during the night the shrill 

 whistle of this Duck could be heard aliove the general chorus of cooings and 

 quackings. 



Captain G. E. Shelley includes it among the birds of Egy])t ("Ibis," 1871). He 

 met with it on Lake Meuzaleh, while stopping at Port Said, and frequently saw 

 specimens in the market at Alexamli'ia. 



Mr. Wheelwright found it one of the most common of all the northern Ducks in 

 Scandinavia, breeding in almost all the still waters to far up within the Polar 

 Circle. The eggs are described as being of a clear yellowish-white color, about 2.25 

 inches in length and 1.50 in breadth. 



According to Yarrell the Widgeon visits Great Britain in immense numbers during 

 the winter season. It frecpients the shores all around the coast, as well as tlie rivers, 

 lakes, and fens of the interior, and is held in great esteem for the table ; but from 

 its great abundance generally sells for a moderate price. Its habits in some re- 

 spects resemble those of the Common JIallard, and great numbers are taken with 

 that bird, by means of decoys. For coast night-shooting Colonel Hawker thinks 

 this Duck furnishes the finest sport in Great Britain. 



It makes its first appearance on the coast of that country about the end of Sep- 

 tember or the beginning of October, and flocks continue to arrive until the weather 

 becomes severe. It differs from nearly all its congeners in the nature of its food, 

 and in the time when this is procured. While the other species obtain nearly the 



