WIGEON. 
413 
Mr. Proctor, who found the nests of this species in Ice¬ 
land, says that they were generally placed amongst low 
bushes and long herbage, and were formed of grass and 
decayed reeds lined with down, and contained from six to 
eight eggs. 
Mr. Dann says that this is the most abundant of the 
duck-tribe in Lapland, frequenting the grassy swamps, 
lakes, and rivers, where it breeds, as well as in the Dofre 
Fiell, as high as the birch grows, and in many other parts 
of Norway and Sweden, but only in straggling pairs ; 
that it lays from five to eight eggs. 
Mr. Wolley, in confirmation of the remarks of Mr. Dann, 
which I have copied from Mr. Yarrelbs book, says that 
no other duck is so common as this in Lapland:— 
“ Wherever there is a still bay or recess in the river, 
with water-plants, and willows, there is sure to be a 
pair or two of Wigeon; and near the bank they make 
their nests. In the lakes, too, they are frequently to be 
found. They are tamer than any of the other ducks, and 
often let a boat pass quite near, whilst they are constantly 
swimming about just before houses. The down of the 
nest is somewhat like that of the pintail, but looser; the 
same white centres, softened by the transparent grey out¬ 
side of each little tuft; yet the filaments are longer, and 
their white bars larger and more distinct. A nest is an 
extremely pretty sight, even when separated from its 
native bank, and all the accompaniments of flowers, roots, 
moss, and lichen. Mr. John Hancock has one transplanted 
with great care to his choice studio at Newcastle. The 
eggs seem to be usually from six to ten in number. 
When fresh, they are mostly of a rich cream colour; but 
some are even then quite white.” 
