132 
COMMON WIDGEON. 
which stud their surface, this seeming to be the limit 
of their nidification in a southward line, the propor- 
tion remaining being very small, compared with the 
flocks which arrive on the winter migration. In se- 
veral of the lochs of Sutherland, straggling pairs were 
seen in 1834, all of which appeared to be breeding, 
and which indeed, by their manners at that season, 
first gavo us the suspicion that this district was upon 
the boundary of their southern limit ; and after re- 
peatedly searching for it, we were at last so fortu- 
nate as to discover the nest upon a low island in 
Loch Layghal, thickly covered with fern ( pteris 
aquilina ), interspersed with huge matted patches of 
rushes, in one of the latter the nest was placed, 
formed chiefly of the down from the bird, and con- 
structed on the same plan with those of the teal 
and wild duck. The female remained until nearly 
trodden upon, which in fact caused the discovery of 
her retreat ; at this period the drakes had separated, 
and were seldom seen in company with the female, 
though ten days earlier they had been observed to- 
gether. On the Continent they are also visitants in 
winter, and according to Temminck, a few pairs re- 
main to breed in Holland, which may be accounted 
for most probably by the favourable situations 
afforded by that peculiar country. Out of Europe 
they reach Egypt,* and are said to be identically 
the same in Japan;! and on the peninsula of India, 
Mr. Jerdon, states, “ Common, in the cold weather, 
•J* Temminck. 
