BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. I3I 



49 [139] Nettion carolinensis (Gmel.). 

 Green-winged Teal. 



Uncommon transient visitor ; April ; September 12 to December 9 (about 

 January i). 



The January record is from a specimen in Mr. Brewster's collection taken 

 in the Essex River "about January ist, 1890." While uncommon at both 

 seasons, and far less common than the Blue-winged Teal in the autumn, the 

 Green-winged is the more common in the spring. I was once asked by an 

 Ipswich gunner whether the green-winged bird might not be the Blue-winged 

 Teal in spring plumage. He had never seen the Blue-winged Teal in the 

 spring although he shot many in the fall. The two species are sometimes 

 found together. Thus on September 22d, 1902, Mr. J. M. Dodge had four 

 Teal drop in to his decoys in the Topsfield marshes ; he shot them all and 

 found the two species were equally divided. The habits of the two species 

 are similar. 



Adult males in the spring are distinguished by the chestnut head with 

 green patch behind the eye and white crescent in front of the bend of the wing. 

 All the birds in the early autumn are in the dull, immature plumage similar to 

 that of the Blue-winged Teal with the exception of the wing markings which 

 are often covered up as they swim. 



50 [140] Querquedula discors (Linn.). 

 Blue-winged Teal. 



Rare spring, common autumn transient visitor; April 25 ; August 16 to 

 November 25. 



Common, and at times abundant during the autumn migrations, the Blue- 

 winged Teal is rarely seen in the spring, as it takes an interior course at this 

 season. It frequents especially the smaller ponds and mudholes and the wet 

 grassy places chiefly in the fresh but also in the salt marshes. To illustrate its 

 abundance at times, may be mentioned the fact that on September 12th and 

 13th, 1904, 320 Teal of this species were sent by gunners of Newburyport to 

 one stall in Faneuil Hall Market, Boston. I saw one of these gunners' bags on 



