80 AVATIM^. 



Ibis," in 1869, under the name of Anns i'dir/V/s. Sul'sequently Dr. O. Finsch identified it as 

 Anas fiihliffi [tons, previously described by Muller, from specimens obtained in the Celebes. 



The existence of two distinct species of Teal inhabiting Australia was also proved later by 

 Dr. P. L. Sclater, the Secretary of the Zoological Gardens, who writes in the " Proceedings" as 

 follows: — " In August, 1S7Q, we purchased a lot of eighteen Australian Ducks, which at the 

 time of their purchase I had believed to be the Chestnut-breasted Itucks (Anas castanea) in 

 female plumage, or non-nuptial dress, but which I now believe to bathe Anas gibhcrifvons or 

 Slender Duck. There were six pairs, but they did not breed in 1880, nor in 1881, but in March 

 a pair hatched out four young birds, which did well. There is no longer any doubt, therefore, 

 that we have to deal with a species which, however much it may resemble the female of Anas 

 castanea, is quite distinct, and of which the sexes, as may be proved by the examination of our 

 breeding birds, are very nearly alike, the female being merely slighter, smaller in size, and duller 

 in plumage." 



Although found in Northern Australia, the Slender Teal is more abundantly distributed 

 throughout the eastern and south-eastern portion of the continent. In New South Wales it is 

 without exception the most common species of the family Anatid.i;, and is met with throughout 

 the year. It frequents the same situations as its congener, Ncttion castannnn, ri\ers, swamps and 

 lagoons, both near the coast and inland. Thousands of these birds are shot every year, but 

 without any apparent diminution in their numbers, judging by the enormous flocks to be seen 

 inland, especially after a heavy rainfall. They are exceedingly tame and easy to approach before 

 disturbed by too much shooting. 



There is a great amount of variation in plumage, even in adult specimens procured in the 

 same locality. Of examples obtained by the late Mr. K. H. I!ennett, at Coombie, in the Lachlan 

 District, New South Wales, some have the throat almost white, the underparts very much 

 paler, approaching a very pale fulvous or fulvous-white, the dark brown or blackish-brown 

 centres to the feathers of the breast being much smaller, and the centre of the lower breast and 

 abdomen unspotted. In others the coppery tinge to the metallic-green band in the middle of the 

 wing speculum is most pronounced. 



The late Mr. K. H. Bennett, while resident at Mossgiel, New South Wales, wrote as 

 follows : — " Anas f^il>bcrifrons is without exception the most common species of the family Axatid/F, 

 inhabiting this localitj', being met with at all times wherever there is water, and in unusually 

 wet seasons appearing in thousands. It breeds from .August to November, and its nests, like 

 those of A. SHpeiriliosn, are very common, and are placed in a variety of situations, sometimes on 

 the plains beneath the shelter of a cotton bush, and far from water, and often in the herbage 

 surrounding water. The most favoured site, however, is the hollow trunk of some tree in or 

 near the water, and in all cases the eggs are enveloped in down ; the greatest number of eggs I 

 have found in a nest was ten. This bird is very gregarious, assembling in large flocks, and the 

 blacks on the Darling River capture large numbers in nets made for the purpose, se\entythree 

 being caught in one haul at which I was present." Writing later, while resident at \'andembah 

 Station, near the Lachlan River, New South Wales, Mr. Bennett remarks: — "On the 27th June, 

 1889, after an usually wet autumn, I found a nest of Anas iiihhcrifrons in a hollow trunk of a 

 Box-tree, containing six eggs partially co\ered with down from the breast of the parent bird." 



Prom Cobborah Station, Cobbora, New South Wales, Mr. Thos. P. .Austin sends me the 

 following notes .• — " The Grey Teal (Ncttion gibhcfifrons) is probably the most common of all 

 Ducks; it is usually found in large flocks, and is tolerably tame. Their call note when flying 

 is usually a cackling squawk, but when swimming it is a single note, which is more of a squeak 

 uttered at intervals of a few minutes. They are moderately fast fliers, but as a rule do not fly 

 as fast as some of the other Ducks. They prefer to nest in hollow trees, but where suitable 



