2o6 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



the Widgeon. They stool well to Mallard decoys, and their note is 

 very similar to that of the latter. They are surface feeders, and 

 generally keep above water except immersing the head in the tip- 

 ping-up habit common to the whole duck tribe. The methods of 

 shooting the Gadwall are identical with those employed in hunting 

 Mallard or Sprig-tails. 



Mareca. penelopi.—SeYbj. European Widgeon. 

 Head and neck reddish-brown, top of head creamy or brown- 

 ish-white, its sides with mere traces of green, otherwise similar 

 to the next species. This species is an accidental visitor to out 

 coasts. Gunners should always be on the lookout for such birds, 

 and when specimens are secured, should have them preserved. 



Mareca amerzcana.^Steph.. American Widgeon. Bald-pate. 



Head and neck greyish; dusky speckled, top of head white, its 

 sides with a broad green patch, upper parts brownish-black and 

 light brownish-red, breast brownish-red, under parts white ; weight 

 about one pound fourteen ounces. 



The Widgeon is abundant throughout North America, although 

 much more common in the Western States than along our sea- 

 board. They are unusual in New England, although occasionally 

 shot along Long Island coasts. They are plenty in Chesapeake 

 Bay, where they associate with the canvas-back, and are said to 

 have a trick of stealing from the latter the vyild celery upon which 

 both feed. They rarely dive themselves, but wait for the canvas- 

 back to reappear with the succulent roots, when the Widgeon 

 makes at him and snatches away the morsel. 



When found in such places their flesh isexceedingly tender and 

 juicy, and is little inferior to the canvas-back. They stool well to any 

 shoal-water duck decoys, and answer their call. The Widgeon is 

 rather more shy than the ducks with which they associate, their 

 flesh is excellent, and the modes of shooting the same as those al- 

 ready detailed. 



Querquediild crecca.— Steph. English Teal. 



No white crescent in front of wing, long scapulars, black ex- 

 ternally, internally creamy, otherwise like carolinetisis. A Euro- 

 pean species casual on the Atlantic coast. 



