SPECIES 8 . ^N^S AMERICANA. 
AMERICAN WIDGEON. 
[Plate LXIX.— Fig. 4.] 
ho Canard Jensen, FI. Enl. 955. — Buff, ix, f. 174. — .irct. Zool. 
No. 502. — Lath. Syn. iii, p. 520. — Peale’s Museum, No. 2798. 
This is a handsomely marked and sprightly species, very 
common in winter along our whole coast, from Florida to Rhode 
Island; but most abundant in Carolina, where it frequents the 
rice plantations. In Martinico great flocks take short flights 
from one rice field to another during the rainy season, and are 
much complained of by the planters. The Widgeon is the con- 
stant attendant of the celebrated Canvass back Duck, so abun- 
dant in various parts of the Chesapeake Bay, by the aid of 
whose labour he has ingenuity enough to contrive to make a 
good subsistence. The Widgeon is extremely fond of the tender 
roots of that particular species of aquatic plant on which the 
Canvass back feeds, and for which that Duck is in the constant 
habit of diving. The Widgeon, who never dives, watches the 
moment of the Canvass back’s rising, and before he has his eyes 
well opened, snatches the delicious morsel from his mouth and 
makes off. On this account the Canvass backs and Widgeons, 
or as they are called round the bay. Bald pates, live in a state 
of perpetual contention. The only chance the latter have is to 
retreat, and make their approaches at convenient opportunities. 
They are said to be in great plenty at St. Domingo and Cayenne, 
where they are called Vingeon or Gingeon. Are said some- 
times to perch on trees. Feed in company and have a centinel 
on the watch, like some other birds. They feed little during the 
day, but in the evenings come out from their hiding places, and 
are then easily traced by their particular whistle or whew whew. 
This soft note or whistle is frequently imitated with success, to 
