AMERICAN WIDGEON. 



87 



hiding places, and are then easily traced by their particular whis- 

 tle or ivhexv tvhew. This soft note or whistle is frequently imitated 

 with success, to entice them within gunshot. They are not known 

 to breed in any part of the United States. Are common in the 

 winter months along the bays of Egg Harbour and Cape May, and 

 also those of the Delaware. They leave these places in April, and 

 appear upon the coasts of Hudson's Bay in May, as soon as the 

 thaws come on, chiefly in pairs ; lay there only from six to eight 

 eggs ; and feed on flies and worms in the swamps ; depart in flocks 

 in autumn. 



These birds are frequently brought to the market of Balti- 

 more, and generally bring a good price, their flesh being excellent. 

 They are of a lively frolicksome disposition, and with proper at- 

 tention might easily be domesticated. 



The Widgeon or Bald pate measures twenty two inches in 

 length, and thirty inches in extent, the bill is of a slate color, the 

 nail black ; the front and crown cream colored, sometimes nearly 

 white, the feathers inflated ; from the eye backwards to the mid- 

 dle of the neck behind, extends a band of deep glossy green gold 

 and purple ; throat, chin, and sides of the neck before, as far as 

 the green extends, dull yellowish white, thickly speckled with 

 black ; breast and hind part of the neck hoary bay, running in 

 under the wings, where it is crossed with fine waving lines of 

 black, whole belly white ; vent black ; back and scapulars black, 

 thickly and beautifully crossed with undulating lines of vinous 

 bay; lower part of the back more dusky; tail coverts long, point- 

 ed, whitish, crossed as the back ; tail pointed, brownish ash, the 

 two middle feathers an inch longer than the rest, and tapering ; 

 shoulder of the wing brownish ash, wing coverts immediately be- 

 low white, forming a large spot; primaries brownish ash, middle 

 secondaries black glossed with green, forming the speculum; ter- 



^ HiiteMns. 



