NESTING-SERIES OF HRITISH BIRDS. 189 



Avlioro it vas originally introilucrd. It iVequciits t'rcslnvater lalu-s wliicli 

 artbrd plenty of cover, and, owing to its retiring' habits, is often supposed 

 to be more imcommoii than is really the case. It feeds by night, 

 chierty on grain, seeds, and other vegetable matter. The nest (made of 

 grass and lined with down) is placed at a short distance from the 

 water, under a bush or tuft of long grass. From eight to twelve 

 whitish-buff eggs are laid from towards the end of May onwards. 



Norfolk, .Tuly. 



Presented by Lord ll'nhitKjhmii. 



No. 14-1. TEAL. (Nettioii crecca.) 



The smallest of our British Ducks, this species is more abundant 

 (luring the winter months than in summer, but it breeds in almost everv 

 county of Great Britain and Ireland. It frequents fresh water, and 

 feeds on the seeds of aquatic plants, grain, worms, slugs, and insects, 

 and the flesh is much esteemed as food. The nest, composed of dry 

 grass and leaM's, is lined with blackish down and placed in tufts of coarse 

 grass or heatlier on the borders of lakes or morasses. From eight to 

 fourteen creamy- white or pale buff eggs are laid early in May. 



1.— Noiiolk, May. 



/'resented by Lord IVulsingham. 



2. — Hertfordshire, May. 



Presented by the Hon. L. W. Rothschild. 



No. 14-2. WIGEON. (Mareca peiielope.) 



A winter visitor to the British Islands, generally appearing on our 

 coasts in vast numbers about the end of September or beginning of 

 October, and remaining till March and April, when the majority return 

 to the north. A considerable number remain to breed, principally 

 about the lochs in the north of Scotland and, possibly, in Ireland. 

 The nest, which is placed among rushes, coarse herbage, or heatlier, is 

 thickly lined with down, and may contain from seven to ten cream- 

 coloured eggs. 



Sutherlandsliire, June. 



Presented by Coloiitl L. H. Irby ^y Cajjlahi S. (i. Reid. 



