198 
A\AS AMERICANA. 
262. ANJ.S AitEniCANA, CMF.LIN AND WILSON. j 
AMERICAN WIDGEON. 
WILSON, PLATE LXIX. FIG. IV. 
This is a handsomely marked and sprightly specie®' | 
very common in winter along- our u'hole coast, 
Florida to Rhode Island ; but most abundant in Carolii''^ 
where it frequeut.s the rice plantations. In MartinieOi 
great flocks take short flights from one rice field 
another, during the rainy season, and are much col®' 
plained of by tlie planters. The widgeon is the constaid 
attendant of the celebrated canvass-back duck, 
abundant in various parts of the Chesapeake Bay, 
the aid of whose labour he has ingenuity enough b’ 
contrive to make a good subsistence. The n idgeo® 
extremely fond of the tender roots of that particuk''^ 
species of aquatic plant on which the canvass- bat)* 
feeds, and for which that duck is in the constant hab** 
of diving. The widgeon, who never dives, watches tbt 
moment of the canvass-back’s rising, and, before he b^ 
his eyes well opened, snatches the delicious morsel 
from his mouth and makes off. On this account tb® 
canvass-backs and widgeons, or, as they are called rou® _ 
the bay, bald pates, live in a state of perpetual coutentio® > 
The only chance the latter have is to retreat, and mak® 
their approaches at convenient 0|)portunities. Th®.J 
are said to be in great plenty at St Domingo a®* 
Cayenne, where they are called vingeon, or giiigco®' 
are said sometimes to perch on trees ; feed in compa®f> 
and h.aye a sentinel on the watch, like some other bird^' 
They feed little during the day; but in the eveni®?’ 
come out from their hiding places, and are then easi)I 
traced by their particular whistle, or wliftw whew, Tl®^ 
soft note, or whistle, is frequently imitated with success- I 
to entice them within gunshot. They are not kno""® 
to breed in any part of the United States. Are comi®®" 
in the winter months along the bays of Egg HarboW 
and Cape May, and also those of the Delaware. The^ 
leave these places in April, and appear upon the coast* 
