NETTION. -J. 



laymg ,n May and June. This species is wisely included in the schedules of the "Bird 

 I rotect, on Act of New South Wales, as it is so nn.ch ,„ den.and as an article of diet, yet to 

 K.veu full protection, for it is an irregular breeder, and nests with eggs or very youn^birds 

 may be observed at all seasons, it would require to be absolutely protected throughout tUe year 

 In Queensland Mr. fl. G. Barnard has taken fresh eggs at the end of October and April 



Oen VIS nSTETTIOlsr, A-,n,j,. 

 Nettion castaneum. 



CHESTNUT.BKEASTED TEAL. 

 Anas puuctala, Cuvier, in Mus. Paris; Gould, Bds. Austr., fol. Vol. VU, ,,1. H (1848)- i,/ 

 Handbk. Bds. Austr., Vol. IE., p. ,36.". (1865). ' • •• 



Afii.reca casfanm, Eyton, Men. Anat., p. 119, pi. 22 (18.3S). 



NrUion caglaiieum, Salvad., Cat. Bds. Brit. Mas., Vol. XXVII., p. 2.")2 (ISt).'.). 

 Ni'ttiiim casfaiiewn, Sharpe, Hancl-1. Bds., Vol. I., p. 219 (1899). 



Adult MALK.-I/md and ,,,'rk ,j/os^^ broaxe-g,-Mn ,■ mantle and back brownish-hlack each 

 Jmther m.a>y,.,<ed nnth chestnut,- rump black ; upper and under falUorerts black glossed with green ■ 

 taa-feafher.hrownish-hlack; scapulars brown, narro,d,j e.dyed with buff ; ,jnills dark brown, wing 

 speculum on the secondaries metallic green bordered abore and below with velvety-black ■ les.er and 

 median upper wing-coverts olive-brown ; outer series of the greater wiurcorerts and tips of the 

 secondaries tvhite ; all the under surface chestnut, spotted with black on the flanks ; on either side of 

 the body, at the base of the tail, a patch of white : bill blnish-lead colour, the nail and around the tip 

 black, the under mandible crossed near the tip by a reddish band ; legs and feet greenish-slate colour 

 the webs slightly darker. Total length in the jlesh 10 inches, wing !>, tail ',:5, bill 1-7, tarsus 1-5. ' 

 Adult VFMKl.^.-Ge.neral colour above dark brown, all the feathers except those on the lower 

 back and rump edged with fulvous-white : wings as in the male, but the metallic-green hand on the 

 secondaries having a more coppery hue .• crown of the head and nape dark brown with narrow whitish 

 margins to all the feathers ,■ sides of the head fulvous or fawn-white, with blackish-brown streaks; 

 chin and throat fawn-7ohite., the lower portion <f the neck similar but streaked with blackish-broion ; 

 remainder of the under surface pale falrons-brown with dark brown centres to all the feather's, 

 which are more conspicuous on the breast. Tntal length in the Jlsh 16 inches, wing S. 



Distribution.— ^Qnh-^vesiern Australia, Northern Territory of South Australia, Queensland, 

 New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Islands of B^ass Strait,' 

 Tasmania. 



./T^HE range of the Chestnut-breasted Teal extends around the coast-line of Australia and 

 -L Tasmania, and it also occurs, but in e.xtremely limited numbers, throughout some 

 of the inland portions of the States. Its great stronghold, however, is Southern Australia 

 the islands of Bass Straits and Tasmania. Essentially it is a coastal species, frequenting 

 salt-water lakes and arms of the sea more than inland rivers and lagoons, the latter of which 

 are the favourite haunts of its lesser congener, the Slender or Grey Tea.\ (Nettion ^ribbenyrons). 

 Often the two species may be met with associated together in one large flock near the coast. 

 The fully adult male of the Chestnut-breasted Teal is a remarkably handsome bird, and can 

 easily be distinguished from the female by its glossy bronze-green head and neck and chestnut 

 breast. Inland, where the species is rare, the male seems fully aware of the fact that its beauty 

 renders it a conspicuous object to sportsmen, for when met with, as a rule, it is extremely wary 

 and difficult to shoot. 



20 



