Rlue-Win^cd Teal iOnm/ucdula discors) 



Range: Breeds from central liritish Columhia, Great Slave Lake, central 

 Ungava, and Newfoundland south to central Oregon, northern Nevada, northern 

 New Mexico, central Missouri, southern Indiana, northern Ohio, western New 

 York, and Maine; winters from southern British Columhia, Arizona, southern 

 Illinois, Maryland, and Delaware south to the West Indies and South America 

 as far as Brazil and Chile. 



I'ormerly ahundant and nesting uwr much of eastern I'liited States, the hlue- 

 wing still inhabits most of its former range, hut is numerous only in the Middle 

 West. Though found west of the Rockies, it is there replaced for the most part 

 by the cinnamon teal. Its habits may be described in much the same terms as 

 those of its congener, the green-wing. Like that bird, it also is a lover of fresh- 

 water ponds and streams with grassy banks. The blue-wing migrates south early, 

 and teal shooting in early September in some localities is one of the sporting 

 events of the year. Extremely fond of wild rice, this duck is generally regarded 

 as a tidbit, and it is at its best when it has fattened on this nutritious seed. Though 

 extremely swift of wing, its speed avails it little in the long run, since it is tame 

 and unsuspicious, decoys well, and is easily approached and potted when feeding 

 in its grassy coverts. How much the abolition of spring shooting will accomplish 

 for this and the green-wing remains to be seen. Should it fail, then the most 

 stringent protective measures as to short open season and bag limit will have to 

 be adopted if these attractive little teal are to rcmc in with us. 



893 



