384 Synopsis of the Birds 
south : very common in the United States and Italy during 
winter. 
326. Anas Americana, Gm. Mirror green, surrounded by 
black ; wing-coverts white ; tail cuneiform, of sixteen feathers. 
Male, black waved with reddish ; head and neck yellowish- 
white ; crown cream color ; a green band each side of the 
neck ; breast vinaceous ; throat whitish. 
Female, dark brown, whole head and neck yellowish- 
white, sprinkled with black. 
American Widgeon , Anas americana , Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 
p. 86. pi. G9.Jig. 4. 
Inhabits throughout North America and the West Indies : 
common during winter in the middle states, breeding to the 
north, Hudson’s Bay, but not extending so far north as 
the preceding species. Closely allied to the European wid- 
geon, Anas penelope, of the old continent.* 
327. Anas obscura, Gm. Mirror violet blue, margined with 
black ; under wing coverts pure white ; tail of sixteen 
feathers. 
Male and female, blackish brown mixed with paler; nearly 
alike, female only more brownish. 
Dusky Duck, Anas obscura, Wils . Am. Orn. viii. p. 141. 
pi. 72. fig. 5. 
Inhabits throughout temperate America, where it breeds : 
* Anas penelope, L. Mirror green, surrounded by black; wing-coverts 
white. 
Male, black waved with white ; head and neck reddish-chesnut ; crown 
cream color, no green band ; breast vinaceous ; throat black. 
Female, dark brown ; whole head and neck reddish, sprinkled with 
black. 
Wigeon , Whcwer or Whim , Lath. Le Canard Siffleur, Buff. pi. enl. 825. 
Inhabits the north of the old continent, not extending to the Arctic cir- 
cle ; common during winter in Italy ; a few breed in temperate Europe, 
especially to the east. 
