330 DUCK. 



female sits in January, and in March the young are seen running 

 about ; the eggs are sometimes hatched under Hens, and such birds 

 are, while young, familiar ; though when grown up, exceedingly 

 quarrelsome with other Ducks; yet being arrived at maturity they 

 feed freely ; and as the flesh is excellent, it is to be wished, that they 

 could be fully domesticated. They appear on the coasts of Hudson's 

 Bay in May, as soon as the thaw comes on, and chiefly in pairs ; 

 lay from six to eight eggs, and feed on flies and worms in the swamps ; 

 depart in flocks in autumn ; are there called Atheikimo Asheep.* 



This is a constant attendant on the Canvas-backed Species, so 

 abundant in various parts of Chesapeak Bay, and by the aid of 

 whose labour he contrives to make a good subsistence. The Wigeon 

 is very fond of the tender shoots of that particular species of aquatic 

 plant, on which the Canvas-back feeds, and for which that Duck is 

 in the habit of diving. The Wigeon, who never dives, watches the 

 moment of the former rising, and snatches the delicious morsel from 

 his mouth. They are called Bald Pates, and live on this account in 

 perpetual contention ; are common in the bays of Egg Harbour, 

 and Cape May, and those of the Delaware, leaving them in April, 

 and seen at Hudson's Bay in May.| 



93— BIMACULATED DUCK. 



Anas glocitans, Ind. Orn. ii. 862. Gm. Lin. i. 526. Act. Stock. 1779. xi. t. 33. f. 1. 

 Bimaculated Duck, Gen. Syn. vi. 521. Br. Zool. ii. No. 287. pi. 100. f. 2. Id. 1812. 

 ii. 274. pi. 42. Bewick, ii. 355. Orn. Did. 



LENGTH twenty inches. Bill deep lead-colour, nail black ; 

 irides brown ; crown brown, changing into green, ending in a streak 

 of brown at the hind part of the head, in a small crest ; between 

 the bill and eye, and behind each ear, ferruginous spots, the first 

 round, the latter oblong, and large ; throat fine deep purple ; the 



* Mr, Hutchins. + Amer. Qrnith. 



