. Birds of Massachusetts and other New England states. Birds; Birds. 202 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS fowl, but also to geese, brant and swans, for individuals of all such species have been seen to dive. The Gadwall rests high and buoyantly upon the water and when in air flies rapidly in small, compact flocks. When alarmed it springs at once into the air, climbing upward as readily as a Black Duck. Early in September a few Gad walls start south from their breeding-grounds but the main flight begins in October. The spring flighi^may start in February and a few of these birds may be seen rarely in Mar
. Birds of Massachusetts and other New England states. Birds; Birds. 202 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS fowl, but also to geese, brant and swans, for individuals of all such species have been seen to dive. The Gadwall rests high and buoyantly upon the water and when in air flies rapidly in small, compact flocks. When alarmed it springs at once into the air, climbing upward as readily as a Black Duck. Early in September a few Gad walls start south from their breeding-grounds but the main flight begins in October. The spring flighi^may start in February and a few of these birds may be seen rarely in March and April in New England. The Gadwall feeds on insects, snails, tadpoles, small fish, crawfish, mollusks, tender grasses, succulent aquatic plants, bulbs and roots, seeds, nuts, acorns and grains. The flavor of its flesh on the table depends largely upon the kind of food that predominates in its diet. It is perhaps more largely a vegetarian than any other American duck. Economic Status. See page 174. Mareca penelope (Linn^us). European Widgeon. Other names: widgeon or wigeon; red-headed widgeon. Plate 13. Description. — Distance from front edge of nostril to tip of bill less than three times distance from same point to nearest loral feathers; lamellae much coarser than in Gadwall; less than 15 visible from outside; tail feathers 14; a tendency to variation — at least two color phases noted. Adult male in winter {nuptial) -plumage: Forehead and fore part of crown (sometimes all of latter) creamy-buff or creamy-white; chin and throat narrowly black along middle; upper eyelid black, lower white; rest of head and upper neck cinnamon-red or reddish-brown, more or less flecked with very fine black or irides- cent spots; back, sides and flanks white, barred with fine undulating lines of black, giving a rather light gray effect; base of rump grayish-brown; tail blackish above, ashy below; wing pattern and color similar to that of Baldpate except for grayish axillars (in Baldpate
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