WIDGEON. 



npHE Widgeon is distributed at different seasons of the 

 year throughout North America, from the Arctic 

 Ocean south to Guatemala and Cuba, and from the 

 Atlantic to the Pacific. In its neat dress of attractive 

 colors, some of which exhibit a metallic sheen like bur- 

 nished metal, the male is one of the handsomest of our 

 Water Fowl, and his demure, modest little consort is no 

 less engaging in her appearance, although not so bril- 

 liantly arrayed. The Bald-Pate, another name by which 

 it is known, breeds from the Arctic Sea as far south as the 

 State of Texas, and generally nests in rather high ground 

 in the midst of trees or low bushes, and is not particular 

 about being near water. Its nest is lined with down, and 

 the eggs are covered when the female goes off for any 

 purpose. They are laid in May, and resemble those 

 of the Pintail somewhat, and are a pale buify white. 

 The male moults while the female is incubating. 

 She takes her turn later. About the latter part of Sep- 

 tember the young are nearly full grown, and those that 

 have bred in the far North commence their long journey 

 southward. Widgeon are generally observed in small 

 flocks of from six to two dozen, although occasionally 

 great numbers have been seen assembled together, but 

 this is rare. They go much with the Canvas Back and 

 Red Head, and when these dive in the deep water and 

 bring to the surface tender grasses and succulent roots, 

 the Widgeon are very busy indeed stealing these de- 

 sired objects from their rightful owners, and grow very 

 fat on the fruits of such pilfering habits. 



