210 THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 



been known to rear their young within our limits, as well as 

 in all suitable places intervening. Being a vegetable feeder, 

 and a fresh-water bird, it avoids not only the salt water, but 

 also the cold, clear, rock-bounded waters of the northern 

 interior, resorting to the mud-flats of great rivers, the quiet, 

 marshy borders of our lakes, sluggish streams, and ponds 

 abounding in vegetable growths. In late fall and early 

 spring it is said to be abundant in the flooded rice-field of 

 the south. Except in the coldest weather, Audubon testi- 

 fied to its great abundance about the mouths of the Missis- 

 sippi in winter; while Wilson speaks of large, dense flocks 

 in their migrations, on the muddy shoals bordering the Dela- 

 ware. Swimming or flying, the birds keep so close to- 

 gether in the flock that great numbers may be taken at a 

 single shot. I have seen them scouring the shores of Lake 

 Ontario in great flocks in September, so densely massed in 

 flight as to appear almost like a cloud, and passing with the 

 swiftness of the Wild Pigeon. At such times their flight is 

 truly elegant, the lustrous light-blue of their wings glisten- 

 ing like polished steel in the sunshine. In spring, one may 

 occasionally catch their soft, lisping notes. Being sensitive 

 to the cold for birds of their kind, like our delicate birds of 

 song, they often pass portions of the winter even in the 

 tropical regions. After the manner of the Ducks in gen- 

 eral, the Teals are wedded in the latter part of winter while 

 yet in the south. 



The nest of this species is on the ground on some prairie, 

 or in some marsh, generally near the water, is made of dried 

 grasses, sedges and weeds, and lined with down. The eggs, 

 some eight or more, about 1.75 X 1.31, are very smooth, and 

 of a dull, creamy white. 



Being a vegetable feeder, the flesh of the Blue-winged 

 Teal is tender and luscious, and is therefore a great desid- 



