Gf'eeji-wmged Teal. — Alias Carolinensis, 153 



ARTICLE XXIY.— On the Green-winged Teal, [Anas Carolinensis.) 



Anas Caeolinensis, (Step) American Green-winged Teal. 



Specific Characters. — 3Iale, head and upper part of neck cliesnvt 



red ; a broad green hand from the eye down the hack of the 



neck ; upper part and flank crossed by crowded blackish, brown 



and white undulating lines ; mirror green, margined above 



and below with black, and before and behind ivith white ; 



bill black ; feet light bluish grey ; the head has a short 



crest. Female, greyisliy mottled with dark brown. Mule, 



14X 24 ; Female, im 22%. Inhabits United States and 



British Territories — Canada in Spring and Autumn ; 



Winter in Southern States. 



Wilson was of opinion that the American Green-winged Teal should be 



considered identical with the European species. We believe, however, that 



most Naturalists are now satisfied with the opposite view, and that our bird 



is sufficientlv well marked to be classified as distinct from that of the eastern 



continent. The male in full plumage is a very neat and even beautiful bird, 



while the female is clothed with more sober and matronly colours. They 



make their appearance in Canada in the month of Aj^ril and the beginning' 



of May, being then on their route to the northern territories, where they 



remain during the summer to rear their young. In the autumn they again 



return, their numbers being greatly increased. They are not often seen in 



the summer in Canada. They frequent the ponds, marshes, inundated lands, 



and reedy shores of creeks and rivers. They fly about and feed during the 



night, associating often with other species of Ducks. Mr. Lett says : — 



" Their flight is exceedingly rapid and irregular, and their mode of alighting 



sudden and abrupt. They are also very easily approached, and do not 



exhibit so much alarm at the proximity of man as many of the larger species. 



Their note is a short hoarse quack, which, however, is seldom heard, except 



when they are suddenly alarmed and put to flight. It is very doubtful 



whether they breed in this part of Canada or not ; it is certain, however, 



that young broods of this species are never seen here. The Green-winged 



Teal resorts chiefly to inundated land in the spring, and to shallows near the 



sliores, and adjacent to rapids in the autumn. Tliey do not dive when 



feeding, but when wounded are almost equal to the Golden Eye or Loon 



at diving." 



Wilson's description of the Green-winged Teal is as follows : — 

 " The Green-wmged Teal is fifteen inches in length, and twenty-four 

 inches in extent ; bill, black ; irides, pale brown ; lower eyelid, whitish ; 

 head, glossy reddish chestnut ; from the eye backwards t© the nape runs a 

 broad band of rich silky green, edged above and below by a fine line of 

 bi'ownish white ; the plumage of the nape ends in a kind of pendent crest ; 

 chin, blackish ; below the chestnut, the neck, for three quarters of an ineh,; 



