As its name indicates, this species is the American analogue of 
the common Widgeon of Europe. The two species seem to meet 
at the Arctic Circle, and occasionally individuals of each accom¬ 
pany their neighbors home. Thus several cases are recorded of 
the European bird (Afanra pcnclope) being shot both along our 
coast and in the interior, and vice versa. 
The geographical range ot our species takes in the whole of 
North America southward along the highlands of Mexico to 
Guatemala. Although most numerous within the borders of the 
United States during winter, yet many remain throughout the 
summer and breed, their nests having been found in the Middle 
States, about the Great Lakes in Utah, and in Oregon. Audu¬ 
bon notices their breeding in Texas, and Dr. Elliott Coues says 
that in Northern Dakota and Montana, at several points which 
he v isited along the banks of streams and ponds, the resort of 
many pairs of various ducks during the breeding season and of 
innumerable flocks during the migrations, the localities resembled 
the duck-yard of a farm, in the quantities of moulted leathers and 
amount of ordure scattered everywhere. He was surprised to find 
young Widgeons, still unable to fly, even as late as the middle of 
September, at a time when all the other ducks observed were 
well on the wing. 
Through all the sterile and marshy regions of the fur coun¬ 
tries it breeds in great numbers. The nest is composed ol sticks, 
grass, and sedge-stalks, lined with masses of down which nearly 
conceal the dozen buff-tinted eggs. 
The best account ever written, perhaps, of the W idgeon's habits, 
is by Wilson, who says : — 
“ This is a handsomely marked and sprightly species, very com¬ 
mon 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 plantation to another, and are much complained of by 
the planters. The Widgeon is the constant attendant of the cel¬ 
ebrated Canvas-back Duck, so abundant in various parts of the 
Chesapeake Bay, by the aid of whose labor 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 Canvas-back feeds, and for which that 
duck is in the constant habit of diving. The Widgeon, who 
never dives, watches the moment of the Canvas-back’s rising, and. 
before he has his eyes well opened, snatches the delicious morsel 
fi:om his mouth and makes off. On this account the Canvas- 
backs and the W idgeons, 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 con¬ 
venient opportunities, 
“ They are said to be in great plenty at St. Domingo and Cay¬ 
enne, where they are called Vingeon or Gingepn. Are said 
sometimes to perch on trees, feed in company, and have a sen¬ 
tinel on the watch, like some other birds. They feed little dur¬ 
ing the day, but in the evenings come out from their hiding- 
places, and are then easily traced bv their peculiar whistle, or 
zvmw-wkew. This soft note, or whistle, is frequently imitated 
with success to entice them within gunshot.’’ 
In regard to the last point, it is worth remarking that gunners 
consider the W idgeon, at least in the Chesapeake Bay, the shyest 
and most difficult to “ lole ” of all the wild ducks. 
Its flesh has a high reputation for edible qualities, and brings 
a good price in market. 
The European Widgeon- is said to be attached to the sea-shore, 
rardy going inland except in severe weather: yet Gilbert White, 
whose home at Selborne was twenty miles from the coast, draws 
one of his most delightful pictures of the flocks of Widgeons 
which he constantly witnessed on Wolmer Pond, “ where they 
preen and solace and rest themselves till towards sunset, when 
they issue forth in little parties (for in their natural state they are 
all birds of the night) to feed in the brooks and meadows : return¬ 
ing again with the dawn of the morning." 
Along the sea-shore they are described as congregating in im¬ 
mense flocks where mussels are numerous on the beach. During 
the day they rest and plume themselves on the higher shelves, or 
doze buoyant on the waves, and only renew their activity with the 
approach of twilight. At this time they become clamorous, and 
rising in dense flocks from the day’s resort, proceed to the feed¬ 
ing-grounds. “At the beginning of winter they are fat and deli¬ 
cate, much sought after by the sea sportsmen, and are killed in 
numbers by persons lying in watch in the track of the known 
flight, or what, in some parts, is called slaking. The most pro¬ 
pitious night for this sport is about half moon ; the birds then fly 
low, and their approach is easily known by the whistling of their 
wings, and their own shrill cry, whence their coast name of ‘Hew.”’ 
(Plate XVIII.) 
THE WIDGEON. 
Mareca Americana (Gen.) Stephens. 
