MAEECA. — NETTIUM. 211 



Pronte et pileo summo fulvescenti-albis ; capitis lateribus efc coUo rufescenti-fulvis, nigro punotulatis ; regione 

 postoculari metallice viridi, fulvo fasciata ; interscapulio et scapularibus vinaceis, illo mediano et his 

 minute nigro fasciatis ; dorso imo et uropygio fere nigris ; supracaudalibus nigris, medianis crebre albo 

 vermiculatis, externis fulvo marginatis ; praepectore, corporis lateribus et hypoohondriis vinaceis, his 

 minute nigro fasciolatis, pectore et corpora reliquo subtus albis ; subcaudalibus nigris ; tectricibus alarum 

 minoribus et medianis cinerascenti-brunneis, majoribns albis nigro terminatis ; tectricibus primariorum 

 et remigibus cinerascenti-brunneis, secundariis medianis externe nigris basin versus paullo viridibus, 

 secundariis' intimis externe nigris, albo marginatis ; rectrioibus cinerascenti-brunneis, externis albo 

 irregulariter marginatis ; subalaribus griseis ; axillaribus albis : rostro pallide cinereo, ungue nigro ; 

 pedibus pallide cyanescentibus ; iride brunnea. Long, tota circa 20'0, alae lO'O, caudae 4'0, culm. 1*5, 

 tarsi 1"5. (Descr. maris adulti ex Duenas. Mus. nostr.) 

 $ notseo nigro, plumis cinerascenti-brunneo marginatis ; scapularibus fulvo limbatis ; alis caudaqne ut in 

 mari coloratis, secundariis intimis saturate brunneis ; pUeo nigro rufescenti-fulvo variegato ; fronte et 

 capite reliquo, gutture et coUo pallide arenariis, minute nigro striolatis ; corpore subtus albo, praepectore 

 et subcaudalibus rufescenti-brunneo alboque fasciatis, marginibus pallidioribus ; corporis lateribus et 

 h5'pochondrii3 fulvescenti-brunneis. Long, tota circa 19'0, alee 9-5, caudae 3*5, culm. 1"5, tarsi I'o. 

 (Descr. feminas adultae ex DueSas. Mus. nostr.) 

 cJ juv. feniinsB adultae similis, sed laetius colorata, et clarius maculata. 



Rab. North America, from the Arctic Ocean south in winter, breeding chiefly north of 

 the United States *. — Mexico ( Wagler ^3), Cachuta, Sonora [Rohinette ^), Hermosillo 

 (i^errffW-Perez ^2), Presidio de Mazatlan [Forrer^^), Mazatlan (Grc^^soT^^), Valley 

 of Mexico {Herrera^, Sumichrast^^), Guanajuato (Duges^), east coast of Mexico 

 {Dresser ^^) ; Guatemala, Duenas ^^, Chiapam ^^, Lake of Atitlan ^, Laguna ^, 

 Acapam'', San Geronimo (0. S.). — Trinidad i^; West Indies ^2_ — Occasional in 

 Europe i^. 



The American Wigeon breeds throughout the Arctic and Subarctic Eegions of North 

 America, and in winter ranges south over the inland waters and on the sea-coasts as 

 far as Central America, being frequently found in large flocks. In Mexico, Mr. Dresser 

 states that he noticed the species on the east coast ^^ ; and Grayson records it as 

 abundant near Mazatlan, on the west, from November until late in spring ». We 

 found this bird common on the Lake of Atitlan in Guatemala ^, in May, and also near 

 the village of Laguna^, as well as on the Pacific coast of that country ^2. 



In winter, when the AVigeon visits the United States, it frequents the freshwater 

 pools and lakes, and feeds on roots and seeds of water-plants, insects, molluscs, &c.; 

 but on certain parts of the coast the bird, like the Canvas-back Duck, subsists on the 

 roots of Vallisneria. 



The nest is placed on high and dry ground, at some distance from water ; it is a 

 mere depression in the soil, lined with the bird's own down. The eggs are of a creamy 

 or ivory-white colour. 



NETTIUM. 



Nettion, Kaup, Natiiri. Syst. p. 95 (1829). 



Nettium, Salvad. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvii. p. 238 (1895). 



The members of this genus difier from the Wigeons (JIareca) and the rest of the 



27* 



