476 



ZOOLOGY BIRDS. 



Over how much of the large area that constitutes its home in the migrations 

 it may be found breeding I cannot definitely state. Our parties have, how- 

 ever, reported it in summer from Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, 

 in which Territories it appears to be rather common at this season. In 

 Southern Colorado, it was present in considerable numbers, and breeding 

 June 24, though from several nests examined, of which the ownership could 

 not be ascertained other than that they were Teal's, it was apparent from 

 the small number of eggs contained in them that the birds were not yet 

 through laying. A nest belonging to this species was found under a sage 

 bush, perhaps thirty feet from the water's edge. A deep hollow had been 

 scooped in the sand, and lined warmly with fine grasses and down, evidently 

 taken from the bird's own breast, which was plucked nearly bare. The eggs 

 are of a pale yellowish color, and average 1.81 in length by 1.31 in diameter. 

 The hen bird was setting; in fact, so artfully was the nest placed that 

 it was only when I had almost trodden upon it, and the old bird had 

 shuffled out at my feet and made good her retreat behind some thick bushes, 

 that I discovered it. Returning a couple of hours later, I found she had 

 again taken possession of her treasures, nor did she leave till I had ap- 

 proached within three feet of her. 



QUERQOEDTTLA DISCORS, Steph. 



Blue-winged Teal. 



Anas discors, LINN., Syst. Nat., i, 1760, 205. 



Querqucdula discern, ED., Birds N. A., 1858, 779. Id., IT. S. & Mex. Bound. Surv., 

 ii, pt. ii, 1859, 26. HENRY, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila,, 1859, 109 (New 

 Mexico). HAYD., Traus. Am. Phil. Hoc., xii, 1862, 176. ALLEN, Bui. Mns. 

 Com p. Zool., 1872, 183. COUES, Key N. A. Birds, 1872, 287. AIKEN, Proc. 

 Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xv, 1872, 210 (Colorado). SNOW, Birds Kan., 1872, 

 15. YARROW & HENSHAW, Eep. Orn. Specs., 1872, Wheeler's Exped., 

 1874, .31. HENSHAW, Rep. Orn. Specs., 1873, Wheelers Exped., 1874, <!9, 

 94, 147. ALLEN, Proc. Bost, Soc. Nat. Hist., June, 1874, 38. COUES, Birds 

 Northwest, 1874, 566. 



