WIDGEON, or WIGEON, ifareca, a genus of ducks of the non-oceanic section, with the hind-toe not webbed, having the bill shnrter than the head, and of equal width throughout, much rounded at the tip, with a broad strong nail; the ]amellm of the upper mandible prominent; the wings long and pointed; the tail wedge-shaped. The species are pretty numerous, migratory birds, appearing in great flocks in the warmer countries which they visit during the winter. The COMm:TWIUOEOx (anus or mare= pent lope) is plentiful in Britain dining winter. A few breed in the most northern parts of Scotland, but the ordinary breeding-place is in more northern regions. This species is Totihd at some season of the year in almost all parts of Europe, and in ASia as far s. as the n. of India: It is found also in North America, along the Atlantic coast. It is known as one of the birds of Japan. Its whole length is about 18 inches. The forehead and top of the head in the male are white, the cheeks and hind-part of the neck reddish chestnut; the upper parts grayish white, crossed with irregular zigzag lines of black• the tail nearly black; the wing coverts white, tipped with black; the primaries dark brown; a green speculutn edged with black; the throat, pale rufous; the breast and belly, white. The female is very different, the head and neck rufous brown, speckled
with dark brown; the back varied with two shades of brown, darker in the center, and pcler in the edges of the feathers. The widgeon is the most common of all the ducts tribe iu Lapland, frequenting grassy swamps, lakes, and rivers. Flocks of widgeon appear in Scotland and England, on lakes and rivers, in winter, and most abundantly in severe winters. They feed during the day time, and chiefly on grass. The note of the Widgeon is a shrill whistle, whence its French name &Pew, and the English names, schrac deck and whetcer. Its flesh is good for table.—The AMERICAN WIDGEON' (ages or mareca Americana) is a larger bird than the European widgeon, being about 22 in. long. The upper parts are finely waved transversely with black and reddish-brown, the under parts are mostly white; the top of the head is almost white; the wing. coverts white, the greater tipped with black; the speculum green, encircled by black.. It breeds chiefly in the northern parts of America, and is common in winter on the coasts of the 'United States, and in the rice-grounds. Its flesh is highly esteemed. It is known as an occasional, but very rare visitant, in the British Islands,