OP THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 357 



Genus MARECA, or Wigeons. 



Type, MAEECA PENELOPE. 



Mareca, of Stephens (1824).- — The birds in the present genus are charac- 

 terised by having the bill small, not very broad, and shorter than the head, 

 gradually tapering towards the tip, whilst there is no fringe of soft membrane 

 near the tip of the apical portion ; the lamellse of the upper mandible are not 

 prominent. The central rectrices are acuminate, and extend slightly beyond the 

 outer ones. We may also mention that the general style of plumage is very 

 characteristic, furnishing almost a sufScient generic character. 



This genus is composed of three species, one of which is confined to the 

 Palsearctic region, and the other two are dwellers in the Nearctic and Neotropical 

 regions respectively. Two species are British, one of them indigenous to our 

 Islands, the other an abnormal migrant to them. 



The Wigeons are found in both inland and maritime localities — on fresh 

 water and salt water. They are of migratory habits. They are birds of rapid 

 and sustained flight. Their notes are harsh and characteristic. They subsist 

 partly on animal and partly on vegetable substances. They are social and 

 gregarious, especially during migration and at their winter quarters. They are 

 monogamous ; their nests being made upon the ground, rude in structure, yet 

 warmly lined with down. Their eggs are numerous and buffish-white'. 



