AMERICAN WIDGEON. 261 



before they depart; which induces me to believe that numbers of them breed 

 within the -northern limits of the United States, although I have not heard 

 of any having actually been seen doing so. 



On the lakes near New Orleans, as well as on the Chesapeake, they are 

 not unfrequently found in company with the Canvass-back Ducks. Wilson 

 mentions their being partially supplied with food by the industry of the 

 latter; but they manage very well in most parts without such assistance. 

 When in full security, the Bald-pates feed at all hours of the day; but in 

 thickly inhabited parts of the country, they usually seek for food at night or 

 early in the morning. 



The flight of this species is rather swift, well sustained, and accompanied 

 by the whistling sound of the wings usual in birds of this family. They 

 move in flocks of moderate size, and without much care as to the disposition 

 of their ranks, being sometimes extended into a front line, sometimes in 

 single file, frequently mingled confusedly, and flying at a moderate height, 

 whether over the land or over the water. When they are first started, they 

 fly almost perpendicularly, in a hurried and rather irregular manner. They 

 walk prettily and with ease. After heavy falls of rain in our Southern 

 States, they often alight in the corn-fields, in company with other Ducks, 

 where the ploughed earth, being quite moist and soft, yields them an abun- 

 dant supply of worms and insects, as well as grains of corn, peas, and other 

 equally nutritious substances. 



Dr. Richardson informs us that this species breeds in the woody dis- 

 tricts of the Fur Countries, up to their most northern limits, in latitude 80°; 

 and Mr. Townsend states that it is abundant on the Columbia river; but he 

 has not furnished me with any account of its breeding, and I have not had 

 an opportunity of observing it during the season of propagation, as I left 

 Texas without having found a nest or young. 



American Widgeon, Anas americana, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. viii. p. 86. 



Anas americana, Bonap. Syn., p. 384. 



Mareca americana, Steph. American Widgeon, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 



ii. p. 445. 

 American Widgeon, Anas americana, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 389. 

 American Widgeon, Anas americana, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 337. 



Male, 201 341. Female, IS, 30. 



Breeds in Texas, and in the Northern Districts. Abundant in the south 

 and west in winter. Columbia river. Middle Atlantic districts in autumn 

 and spring. 



Adult Male. 



Bill nearly as long as the head, deeper than broad at the base, depressed 



