72 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



In Southern (Jutariu this (hiinty Uttle duck is known oul}' as a 

 passing migrant in spring and fall. During the latter season it is 

 much sought after at the shooting stations on account of the delicacy 

 of its flesh. It breeds abundantly througliout Manitoba and the 

 great North- West, and is mentioned among the biids found l)v Dr. 

 Bell at Hudson's Bay. 



Of the two teals common in Ontai-io, this seems the hardier, Ijreed- 

 ing fai'ther north, and remaining later with us in the fall. In the 

 spring it appears as soon as there is open water in the marshes, and 

 at this season, beijng very pi'operly protected by the Game Act, it 

 passes on in peace. 



Of its occurrence in Alaska, Mv. Nelson says : " It is found widely 

 spread and i-ather common over the mainland, and it is resident 

 throughout the entire length of the Aleutian Chain. 



" They are the least suspicious of the ducks, probably because the 

 Eskimo usually consider them too small to waste a charge of powder 

 and shot upon." 



vSuBGKNus QUERQUEDULA Stkphkns. 

 ANAS DI8C0RS Linn. 



41'. Blue-winged Teal. (UO) 



Head and neck of tlie male, l)lacki.-;li ])lninl)ei)us, dai'ke.st (in tlie ci'own, 

 usually witli purplish iridescence: a white crescent in front of tlie ej-e ; under 

 parts thickly dark spotted; wing coverts, sky blue, the greater white-tipped; 

 speculum, green, white-tipped ; a.xillars and most under wing coverts, white ; 

 scapulars striped with tawnij' and blue, or dark green ; fore back, barred ; rump 

 and tail, dark, j)lain ; crissum, black ; bill, black ; feet, dusky yellow. FemaJe: — 

 With head and neck altogether different ; under parts much paler and obscurely 

 spotted, but known by tlie wing marks ; size, same as rarolincihtix. 



H.\B. — North America in general, but chiefly the Eastern Province; north 

 to Alaska, and south to tlie West Indies and northern South America; breeds 

 from the northern United States northward. 



Xest, composed of dry grass and weeds, lined witli featliei-s. 



Eggs, eight to ten, dull greenish or buff. 



At Hamilton very few of this species are seen in spiiiig, but in 

 the fall they often appear in flocks of considerable size, and during 

 their short stay afi^ord goorl sport to the gunners, who wait for them 

 in the evening near their feeding ground. 



At St. Clair I have seen them in June, fvidcntlv mated, and have 



