ANATINiE — THE DUCKS — MARECA. 
519 
The Common Widgeon of the Palasarctic Region is entitled to a place in the fauna 
of North America on rather more than the ordinary grounds of an occasional straggler. 
It has been found on different occasions in Greenland, has been taken on Long Island, 
is not infrequently seen exposed in the New York markets, and comes within our 
fauna on the Pacific coast. Two instances are on record of its occurrence in Illinois. 
Holboll mentions its presence in Greenland — a young male procured in 1851, and 
sent to the Royal Museum of Copenhagen. Besides this, Professor Reinhardt men- 
tions having seen two other specimens — young birds obtained in South Greenland. 
Mr. Giraud refers to an individual shot in the Bay of Long Island in December, 
1842. This is now in the collection of Mr. George N. Lawrence, of New York. Rich- 
ardson was confident that this species occurs in the wooded districts of the Pur 
Country, and that it breeds northward to latitude 68° N. 
According to Dr. Cooper this bird is a not infrequent visitor to California. He 
has seen quite a number in the collections of Mr. F. Gruber and of Mr. Lorquin in 
San Francisco, where they are frequently sold in the market. Their habits are said 
to be similar to those of the M. americana. 
According to Mr. Dali, this species is not uncommon among the Ducks brought in 
by the native hunters of Unalaslika. One was obtained there Oct. 12, 1871. It is a 
winter visitor, and migrates about May 1. It was also met with by Mr. Elliott on 
the Prybilof Islands, where, as he states, it is seldom seen, never in pairs, does not 
breed, the few individuals observed being apparently wind-bound or astray. 
In the Palsearctic Region it has a very extended distribution, occurring throughout 
Europe and Asia, from Iceland and Siberia southward, and as far eastward as China 
and Japan. It was found in Formosa by Mr. Swinhoe, and at Hakodadi in Japan by 
Mr. H. Whitely (“ Ibis,” 1867). In Siberia, according to Middendorff, it occurs in 
the wooded or forest regions. Mr. C. W. Shepard met with a few breeding in the 
north of Iceland and in the neighborhood of Lake My-vatn, where it was the rarest 
of the birds found breeding in that locality. Occasionally one or two were seen, 
but they were very shy, and it was impossible to say in what numbers they existed 
there. Only one bird with its nest was obtained; but during the night the shrill 
whistle of this Duck could be heard above the general chorus of cooings and 
quackings. 
Captain G. E. Shelley includes it among the birds of Egypt (“Ibis,” 1871). He 
met with it on Lake Menzaleh, while stopping at Port Said, and frequently saw 
specimens in the market at Alexandria. 
Mr. Wheelwright found it one of the most common of all the northern Ducks in 
Scandinavia, breeding in almost all the still waters to far up within the Polar 
Circle. The eggs are described as being of a clear yellowish-white color, about 2.25 
inches in length and 1.50 in breadth. 
According to Yarrell the Widgeon visits Great Britain in immense numbers during 
the winter season. It frequents the shores all around the coast, as well as the rivers, 
lakes, and fens of the interior, and is held in great esteem for the table ; but from 
its great abundance generally sells for a moderate price. Its habits in some re- 
spects resemble those of the Common Mallard, and great numbers are taken with 
that bird, by means of decoys. For coast night-shooting Colonel Hawker thinks 
this Duck furnishes the finest sport in Great Britain. 
It makes its first appearance on the coast of that country about the end of Sep- 
tember or the beginning of October, and flocks continue to arrive until the weather 
becomes severe. It differs from nearly all its congeners in the nature of its food, 
and in the time when this is procured. While the other species obtain nearly the 
