AMERICAN WIDGEON 
195 
the nature of his counterfeits. G. B. Grinnell (1901) regards it as the shiest of all our 
ducks, but it is doubtful if it exceeds the Pintail in wariness. 
On its northern breeding grounds it is not considered at all a shy bird (Preble, 
1908) and Audubon thought it less shy than most other ducks, at least in secluded 
districts. It was long ago found to be one of the most difficult birds to bring within 
shot by the old method of toling with a dog, which was used so successfully on 
many species of diving ducks (Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, 1884). 
Small companies or single birds approach decoys much more easily than the 
larger flocks in which there are always old, wary males who continually whistle and 
draw the less cautious ones away from the danger point. They seem to be a mixture 
of curiosity and caution, and sometimes flocks will continue to circle over and alight 
in a locality where they have heard the sound of guns all day long. Bowles (W. L. 
Dawson and Bowles, 1909) says he has lured them within ten yards, by lighting a 
pipe and puffing a cloud of smoke into the air at short intervals! 
Daily Movements. Baldpate are among the first water-fowl to acquire the sea- 
going habit after arrival on our Atlantic coast. Forty or fifty years ago they were 
said never to leave Currituck Sound during their autumn and winter stay, but their 
habits have been greatly modified by time and circumstances, and now they go out 
to sea about sunrise. There are three days a week at Currituck, during which 
shooting is forbidden by County law, and during these days fewer Baldpate take 
refuge on the ocean. Audubon spoke of them as feeding at all hours of the day when 
in full security, but in inhabited sections feeding at night or in the morning. 
Gait, Swimming, Diving. In these respects the Baldpate differs in no way from 
the European Widgeon. 
Flight. There is nothing characteristic about the flight, which closely resembles 
that of its Old World cousin, the rustling or fluttering sound being heard in both 
species. Large flocks are common on the wintering grounds. \Mien traveling short 
distances no special formation is observed. On migration the flocks thin out into 
long wavering lines or verj" blunt wedges, but it seems that by the time the birds 
reach their northern breeding grounds, and are following up the retreating ice the 
flocks split up into pairs or small parties (Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, 1884; F. 
Harper, MS.). 
Association myth other Species. As the Baldpate prefers open water to 
marshy districts, it associates less commonly with Mallards or Black Duck. On the 
other hand I have seen them mingle with great masses of Pintail, and Audubon also 
speaks of their mixing with Pintail and Teal rather than with the larger marsh ducks. 
