NON-INDIGENOUS BRITISH BIRDS. 165 



frequents very similar localities. In northern areas it is 

 a migrant, leaving for the south in autumn and returning 

 in April and ]\Iay. Its favourite breeding haunts are 

 swampy ponds fringed with willows and coarse grass 

 and rushes : ponds containing small islands are preferred. 

 The nest is invariably made upon the ground, either 

 amongst the dense vegetation on the bank of the pool, 

 or on an island, beneath a tuft of grass or other herbage. 

 The nest is a mere hollow, lined with scraps of dead 

 vegetation and a copious supply of down and feathers. 

 Tlie bird sits closely, waiting till almost trodden upon 

 before starting rapidly from the nest, and usually taking 

 refuge some distance away amongst the vegetation, or 

 settling on the open water. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Blue-winged Teal are from eight to 

 twelve in number, ten being an average clutch. They 

 are creamy-white, smooth and somewhat polished. 

 Average measurement, 1*9 inch in length by i"3 inch in 

 breadth. Incubation, performed by the female, lasts 

 about three weeks. 



Diagnostic characters : As the down of this species 

 still remains undescribed, I am unable to give any 

 character by which the eggs can be distinguished from 

 those of allied birds. 



