86 



AMERICAN WIDGEON. 

 ANAS AMERICANA. 

 [Plate LXIX.— Fig. 4.] 



Le Cmiavd Jensen, PL Enl. 955.-— Burr. IX, p. 174. — *4rcf. Zool. JV'o. 502. — ^Lath. Syn, III, p. 520. 



f — Peace's Museum^ JVo. 2798. 



THIS is a handsomely marked and sprightly species, very 

 common in winter along our whole coast, from Florida to Rhode 

 Island; but most abundant in Carolina, where it frequents the rice 

 plantations. In Martinico great flocks take short flights from one 

 rice field to another during the rainy season, and are much com- 

 plained of by the planters. The Widgeon is the constant atten- 

 dant of the celebrated Canvass back Ducky so abundant in various 

 parts of the Chesapeake Bay, by the aid of whose labour he has 

 ingenuity enough to contrive to make a good subsistence. The 

 Widgeon is extremely fond of the tender roots of that particular 

 species of aquatic plant on which the Canvass back feeds, and for 

 which that duck is in the constant habit of diving. The Wid- 

 geon, who never dives, watches the moment of the Canvass backus 

 rising, and before he has his eyes well opened, snatches the deli- 

 cious morsel from his mouth and makes off*. On this account the 

 Canvass backs and Widgeons, or as they are called round the bay, 

 Bald patesy live in a state of perpetual contention. The only 

 chance the latter have is to retreat, and make their approaches at 

 convenient opportunities. They are said to be in great plenty at 

 St. Domingo and Cayenne, where they are called Vingeon^ or Gin- 

 geon. Are said sometimes to perch on trees. Feed in company 

 and have a centinel on the watch, like some other birds. They 

 feed little during the day; but in the evenings come out from their 



