36 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



some of the older dogmatic theories ; individual variation is 

 evident amongst Teal as in other species. Some Teal, reared 

 in Cumberland, after having been temporarily pinioned were 

 released in February in Essex ; one was reported in August 

 in Schleswig, but another was recaptured in Cumberland at 

 the place where it first chipped the shell. The return passage 

 in spring begins in March. 



In its feeding habits the Teal is by no means always nocturnal, 

 though where it is much persecuted it feeds at dawn and dusk. 

 On inland waters it spends some time dozing on the bank or 

 open water, but it also upends in the shallows, and sifts the 

 plankton from the water with its laminated bill. Rotifers and 

 minute Crustacea form a considerable part of its varied diet, 

 and vegetable substances are not neglected ; indeed, decoy-men 

 find corn a tempting bait. In flight the Teal is distinctly swifter 

 than the Mallard ; when put up, Teal keep together, flying to and 

 fro in a compact flock, turning and twisting with the precision 

 of waders. No birds leave the water with greater skill and 

 velocity, shooting directly upward ; a flock may well be called 

 a " spring " of Teal. At full speed, which has been estimated 

 as over 140 miles an hour, though this is not proved absolutely, 

 a flock will suddenly and with unanimity take a short corkscrew 

 dive of a few feet and instantly resume horizontal flight. As 

 the birds turn with one accord their light under parts flash like 

 those of waders. These dives do not necessarily mean a change 

 of direction ; indeed, a swiftly flying Teal will turn its head, 

 and even look behind it without losing speed or altering the line 

 of flight. When the flocks intend to ali-jht they will often shoot 

 downwards with great speed, almost falling obliquely, but when 

 near the water they throw the feet and tail forward and check 

 their pace with widespread fluttering wings. 



There are few more talkative ducks than the Teal ; birds in 

 the winter flocks chuckle conversationally, and on the meres the 

 loud clear call, a short sweet whistle, rings out incessantly. 



