THE TEAL. 



ANAS CRECCA. 



Head and neck bright chestnut ; on each side of the head a broad green band 

 edged with buff, inclosing the eye and extending to the nape ; lower part of 

 the neck, back, and flanks, marked with numerous black and white zigzag 

 lines ; breast reddish white, with roundish black spots ; speculum black, 

 green and purple, edged with white ; bill dusky ; irides brown ; feet ash. 

 Femate— Upper plumage dusky brown mottled with reddish grey ; throat, 

 cheeks and a band behind the eyes j-ellowish white spotted with black; 

 speculum black and green. Length fourteen inches and a half. Eggs 

 yellowish white. 



The Teal is the smallest, and by no means the least 

 beautiful, among the British Ducks. It is decidedly an 

 indigenous species, as it breeds in many parts both 

 of Great Britain and Ireland. It is domesticated, too, 

 without difficulty, and is generally to be found on artificial 

 and other pieces of water where the breed of water fowl 

 is encouraged. Its favourite summer resorts in England 

 are lakes which are lined with rushes, boggy places on the 

 moors, and sedgy rivers. It is an active bird, rising from 

 the water with great facility, and having a rapid flight. 



