NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTKACIAN BIRDS. 104 1 



out here, and good grass gi'ew in the mallee, Ducks used to lay there, 

 as well as in the swamps. One day I saw two Teal flying from the 

 malleo to a swamp. Both birds were carrying a young one in their bill. 

 After safely dropping tlie yoimg, one old bird stopped to look after 

 them, wliilc the other returned for the balance of the brood, biiuging 

 one at a time. I have taken as many as eighteen eggs from a Teal's 

 nest.* I have also taken a SpoonbiLl (Shoveller) Duck's nest in one part 

 of a tree, while in another limb a Teal was hatching at the same time." 



The principal breeding season for the Grey Teal is from August to 

 November, but, as with other Ducks, the time varies according to locali- 

 ties and wet seasons, as the following incidents prove ; Mr. H. C. 

 Burkitt, at Cooper's Creek, 25th March, 1887, took Teal's eggs from a 

 stick nest in a polygonum bush. On the 10th April, Mr. Arthiu* 

 Bradlv took ten Teals eggs from a hollow box-tree in a swamp near 

 Nai'andera, New South Wales. Eight eggs were taken from a nest near 

 the coast, Rockhampton, Queensland, by Mr. Charles Barnard, June, 

 1887. At the opposite side of the Continent Mr. Tom Carter writes 

 me he has seen Teals' nests duiing July, while diuing the Calvert 

 Expedition fresh eggs of the Teal were taken from hollow trees at the 

 Fitzroy River diuiug January and February — the rainy season. 



It is probable that two broods are reared in one season. 



This Teal has a general brownish, mottled plumage. On its wings 

 is a bright, bronzy patch, divided by a stripe of white ; eyes, hazel ; 

 bill and feet, bluish lead-colour; total length in inches, 17; wing, 8; 

 tail, 4 ; feet, 1\. 



In shooting and other circles keen interest was taken in 1897 in the 

 seizure bj' the authorities of a large quantity of frozen game birds. Of 

 Teal and other Ducks 7,655 were found stored in the various freezing 

 chambers in Melbourne and suburbs. Section 7 of the Game Act for 

 Victoria provides that " if any person shall buy, sell, or knowingly have 

 in his possession, house, or control any native game " within the pro- 

 hibited season, he shall be liable to a penalty. There was some doubt 

 about the " possession." Some legal authorities constmed it to mean 

 possession of native game killed in Victoria during the close season 

 only, therefore, as the seized birds were admitted to have been shot 

 during the open season, and were merely stored for commercial purposes, 

 the alleged transgressors received the benefit of the doubt, and pro- 

 ceedings were stayed. From a. naturalist's point of view, which is 

 supported by several sound lawyers, it is contended that the Game Act 

 was created for the protection of the birds, and that on a given date 

 bujang, selling, and traffic of any Irind with the birds is to cease for a 

 period in each year. It was not expected that enough birds would be 

 slaughtered during the open season to satisfy the demand throughout 

 the whole year. " Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." If such 

 a state of things be allowed to continue there will shortly be no Ducks 

 to shoot at any time. No doubt the Act as it stands will be amended. 



Tlie close season for Ducks of all kinds in Victoiia is from the 1st 

 August to 20th December; in New South Wales, from 1st September 



' May have been laid by iivo females, — .\.T.C. 



66 



