298 DUCK GROUP 



Probably from the difference between the sexes, Linnaeus gave 

 two names to the garganej-, Afi(7S qitcrqucduln and Anas circia ; this 

 being so, it seems that the ugly alliteration Qiicrqiicdula querquedula, 

 favoured by some ornithologists, might have been avoided. 



The geographical range of the garganey is very similar to that of 

 the pintail, including a large part of Europe and Asia. The present 

 species is, however, a much less distinctly northern bird than the 

 latter, being apparently unknown in Iceland, the Faroes, and at least 

 the more northern Scandinavian countries. Archangel in Europe, and 

 Turkestan and southern Siberia in Asia, form, indeed, the northern 

 limits of its breeding-range. In winter the garganey is to be met 

 with in the Mediterranean countries, India, Ceylon, Burma, China, 

 the Philippine Islands, and Celebes. From the fact of its being a 

 spring and autumn visitor (which sometimes remains for the summer) 

 to the British Isles, the garganey has received its name of summer- 

 teal, in contradistinction to the real teal, which is to a great extent a 

 resident bird. Tempted by the large amount of suitable breeding- 

 places to be met with in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon- 

 shire, and Lincolnshire, a certain number of garganeys remain with 

 us throughout the summer and rear their young in the marsh-lands. 

 In the west of England and the Principality summer-teal arc much 

 more uncommon birds, and to Ireland the species is only a very rare 

 and occasional visitor, which generally makes its appearance in March 

 or April, although it has been seen in January and February. 



In their mode of flight garganey differ considerably from teal. 

 They also differ in that the drake wears the non-breeding livery for a 

 much longer period, and also in the absence of any distinct " speculum " 

 on the wing of the duck. In fact, the non-breeding plumage of the 

 male is worn well on into the winter, thus showing its real corre- 

 spondence with the winter-dress of other birds. As regards both these 

 features, the garganey is a far less specialised species than the mallard. 

 Although garganey are often offered for sale in India as teal, the 

 housekeeper who knows her business will refuse to accept them as 

 such, for their flesh, although good, is far inferior to that of the 

 latter bird. 



Measuring fully 15,^ inches in length, and weighing about as 

 many ounces, the garganey drake in breeding-dress is readily recognised 

 by the cinnamon neck flecked with white lines, the white eye-stripe, 

 and the pale blue of the upper wing-coverts. Additional features in 

 the colouring of the plumage are the dark brown feathers of the 

 crown of the head and back, the latter with paler edges ; the long. 



