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ANATID.E. 



further south. About the latter end of March the Wig-eon 

 makes its reappearance, and the spring migration continues 

 throughout April. 



These journeys are generally performed during the night, 

 at which time the birds fly at no great elevation, and 

 may easily be known by their continued whistling ; when 

 the journeys are continued during the day, the birds fly very 

 high, and in the usual manner of ducks, following one an- 

 other ; but these birds fly so very close upon the heels of 

 their leader that it forms a distinguishing peculiarity. 



During the day the Wigeon frequents the low grassy and 

 swampy borders of inland seas, lakes or rivers, but remains 

 more frequently on the surface of the water at a proper and 

 safe distance from the shore. In countries where the popu- 

 lation is scanty, the Wigeon frequents the low muddy shores 

 that are scantily covered with rushes and flags, or grassy 

 bottoms that are partly swamped by high water or floods : 

 this may account in some measure for their taking up their 

 abode during the migratory seasons on the sea-shores that are 

 low, flat, and swampy. During the floods in our immediate 

 neighbourhood, occasioned by heavy falls of rain and swelling 

 of the river Thames, we have very frequently seen parties or 

 flocks of Wigeon s swim about on the flooded meadows all 

 day long, but at all times so far from the nearest point of 

 land, that it required the greatest caution to steal upon them ; 

 which could only be done by lying flat in a punt, and in this 

 manner drifting with the stream towards them, so as to get with- 

 in gunshot. This species seems to know nothing about hiding 

 itself, yet is ever careful to keep out of harm's way. The 

 greatest numbers are taken in decoys, and the flavour of their 

 flesh is considered very good on their first arrival from the 

 north. 



The food of the Wigeon consists chiefly in aquatic insects 



