varied with two shades of brown, on a surface of greyish-
white; sides and flanks pale brown, varied with darker brown.
Young males, as usual, resemble females in their first
plumage, attaining their sexual distinctions after their first
moult. They may be distinguished from the Common Teal
by their larger size, bluish-grey wing-coverts, and the green
speculum.
The downy nestling is characterized by a very broad unbroken
bulf streak above the eye, and a well-defined dark
streak through the cheek.
The windpipe of the Garganey is about seven inches in
length; the form of the bony enlargement nearly oval, and
placed so as to appear like a continuation of the tracheal
tube; the enlargement is in the front, and the bronchial
tubes come off from the flattened inner surface which lies
upon the oesophagus.
ANSERES. A NATURE.
M areca p e n e l o p e (Linnaeus*).
THE WIGEON.
Anas penelope.
Mareca, Stephens+.—Bill considerably shorter than the head, higher than
broad at the base, gradually depressed and narrowed towards the point; culmen
slightly concave ; lamella only just visible ; wings rather long and pointed ; the
first and second quills sub-equal and longer than the rest. Tail short and pointed.
Legs short, the tibia bare for a short distance ; hind toe with a very narrow lobe ;
feet rather small.
I m m en se numbers of Wigeon visit this country during
the winter season, frequenting the coast, as well as the
rivers, lakes, and fens of the interior. The species is justly
in great esteem for the table, although from its abundance,
it generally sells at a moderate price. Its habits in some
respects resemble those of the Wild Duck, and great quantities
are taken with them in decoys ; while for coast nightshooting,
Hawker says, the Wigeon is like the fox for
hunting,—it shows the finest sport of anything in Great
* Anas Penelope, Linnaaus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 202 (1766).
t Shaw’s Gen. Zoo!, xii. pt. ii. p. 130 (1824).