duck. 323 



jm feeding on shrimps. We had once a pair sent from the 

 market, and called Easterlings, which proved no other than the 

 two sexes of the common Wigeon ; but have been told that birds in 

 imperfect plumage, of different species, pass in the poulterer's shop 

 under the same names.* 



The trachea of the male Wigeon does not seem materially to 

 differ from that of the Pintail ; the bony orb is most perfectly 

 globular, and differs somewhat in respect to the attachment at the 

 sides, which may be better noticed by comparison with each other 

 than by any verbal description. f 



This species is pretty common in England in the winter months, 

 and caught among other Ducks in the decoys ; is found on our 

 various shores at that time, and is frequently in great numbers on 

 the coasts of Kent, but it is not certain that it ever breeds in this 

 kingdom, or in France, yet is sufficiently plentiful in most parts of the 

 old Continent, migrating as low as Egypt; for it is caught there 

 from the middle to the end of November, by nets, in the marshes, 

 before the departure of the waters, though it is rarely, if ever, 

 observed, to plunge therein; is in plenty at Aleppo in the winter, and 

 in most parts of Europe, as far as Sweden ; observed likewise in the 

 Caspian Sea, and its neighbourhood, as well as that of Lake Baikal. 

 A bird of this kind is said to migrate from Barbary into Spain and 

 Gibraltar, differing merely in having no white on the belly. J 



I find a representation of the Wigeon among Gen. Hardwicke's 

 fine drawings of birds, proving that it is a native of India. I have 

 also been informed that one very like, if not the same, is found about 



* Ray observes, that the male was called the Widgeon, and the female Whewer ; and 

 rather quaintly adds, "It is usual to call a silly fellow a wise Widgeon, or to say, he is as wise 

 " as a Widgeon :" and again, accordingly to the Drunkard's Song, 



" Mahomet was no divine, but a senseless Widgeon, 



" To forbid the use of wine, unto those of his religion." — Letters, p. 21. 



Rutty thinks the Easterling and the Lady-fowl different from a Wigeon, seeiVaf. Hist. 

 of Dublin, pi. iv. t Lin. Trans, iv. pi. 13. f. 6—9 J Rev. Mr. White. 



