114 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



coming 

 niirlit to 



line towards the tip ; the legs and feet orange. The female 

 has a white streak over the eye. Length, 1 foot 7 inches. 



The gadwall is of rare occurrence in Britain, but is 

 occasionally met with in the north, where it is a winter 

 visitant, migrating during the night in September or 

 October, and March or April. 



The food consists of aquatic insects, the spawn and fry 

 of fish, also plants and seeds. 



The nest is placed among reeds and rushes, and the eggs, 

 which are from five to seven in number, are of a uniform 

 pale buff colour. 



It is found on inland lakes, bogs, and ponds, furnished 

 with an abundance of cover, for it is a shy bird, keeping 



close during the 

 da}', but 

 out at 



feed. It seldom 

 occurs on the sea- 

 shore. 



These birds suc- 

 ceed very well in 

 confinement, and 

 occasionally breed 

 there. The note is 

 "([uack, quack," re- 

 peated a few times 

 in succession. 



Teal. — This pretty little bird has the bill of a dark 

 leaden colour with a black tip. The feathers next the bill 

 are green, and darker underneath, where they form an 

 almost black patch. A band of butf stretches round this, 

 along the chestnut of the head over the eye. Another 

 stripe of the same colour passes in front of the eye, and 

 becomes white on the ear coverts. The head and part of 



;^-::^^ 



Fi(5. 38.-77/. r,al. 



