THE \VIGEO^^ 
281 
Yenesei, where the Wigeon is very abundant, especially on 
the banks of the borderland where the forest merges into 
the tundra not far north of the Arctic Circle.” 
Nest. — The nests, according to Mr. Seebohm, are well con- 
cealed, generally close to the margin of a lake or pond, and 
are placed in the long grass and sedge, often under a willow- 
bush. Like those of most Ducks which breed in the Arctic 
Regions, they are very deep, well lined with dead grass and 
sedge, and, when the full clutch is laid, contain a quantity of 
down with which the eggs are covered when the female leaves 
the nest. 
Eggs. — From seven to ten in number, more rarely twelve 
being found; buffy-white or cream-colour. Axis, 2'o-2'25 
inches; diam., i-45-i-55. 
— Extremely dark chocolate-brown with a dull star 
of white, and dull whitish filaments at the end of the down. 
The general aspect, however, is dark brown, the white being 
scarcely visible. 
II. THE AMERICAN WIGEON. MARECA AMERICANA. 
Anas americana, Gm. S. N. p. 526 (1788); Seebohm, Er. E. 
iii- P- 543 (1885). 
Mareca americana, Macg. Br. B. v. p. 90 (1852); B. O. U. 
List Br. E. p. 124 (1883); Saunders, ed. Yarr. Br. B. 
iv. p. 403 (1885) ; id. Man. Br. B. p. 427 (1889) ; Salvad. 
Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxvii. p. 233 (1895). 
Adult Male. — Differs from M. pcnelope in having the upper 
part of the head whiti.sh instead of buff, the sides of the head 
and upper neck whitish, thickly spotted with black, and a broad 
patch of green extending from behind the eye to the hinder 
nape ; bill light greyish-blue, black at the end ; legs and feet 
light bluish ; iris brown. Total length, 18 inches ; culmen, 
1-6; wing, 10-2; tail, 4-4; tarsus, 1-4. 
Adult Female. — Differs from the female of M. fenelope in 
having the head and neck much whiter, the light part of the 
feathers being whitish instead of reddish-brown. Total length, 
16-5 inches; culmen, 1-4; wing, 9-6; tail, 3-2; tarsus, 1-5. 
