354 
BRITISH- BIRDS. 
place, and the plumage of the male begins to af- 
fume its rich colourings, in which, it is faid, he 
continues till the end of July, and then again the 
feathers become dark and grey, fo that he is hard- 
ly to be diftinguiflied from the female. * 
Thefe birds quit the defart moraifes of the north 
on the approach of winter, and as they advance 
towards the end of their deftined fouthern journey, 
they fpread themfelves along the fliores, and over 
the marflies and lakes in various parts of the con- 
tinent, as well as thofe of the Britifh Hies ; and it 
is faid that fome of the flocks advance as far fouth 
as Egypt. They remain in thefe parts during the 
winter, at the end of which the old birds pair, and 
the whole tribe, in full plumage, take their depar- 
ture northward about the end of March. While 
they remain with us, they frequent the fame places, 
and feed in the fame mode as the Mallard, and are 
often taken in the decoys along with them and other 
Idnds of Ducks. 
The Wigeons commonly fly, in fmall flocks, du- 
ring the night, and may be known from others by 
their whiffling note while they are on the wing. 
They are eaflly domefflcated in places where there 
is plenty of water, and are much admired for their 
beauty, fprightly look, and bufy frolicfome manners. 
* Mr Baillon, from whom thefe remarks are taken, adds, 
that the fame changes happen to the Pintail, the Gadwall, and 
the Shoveler, and that they are alfo all grey when young. 
