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more soberly colored duck, but it has 

 the characteristic green wing spot. 



In both sexes the outer webs of the 

 cuter secondaries are velvet black and 

 those of the three inner ones metallic 

 emerald green. The female dress is 

 assumed by the drake in July and is 

 kept until October. 



Distribution. — Europe, North Africa 

 and Asia. It is a very common Win- 

 ter visitant to the Yangtse Valley but 

 rests further North. 



Notes. — These little ducks are often 

 found even on the small ponds in 

 thickly peopled cities. They seem 

 much tamer than the larger river- 

 ducks, when startled, however, they 

 rise directly from the water and are off 

 with remarkable swiftness. The 

 flavor of the flesh of this bird is quite 

 delicate and it is highly prized as food 

 by all who know it. 



SPECTACLED TEAL. 



NETTION FORMOSUM (gEORGI). 

 fEunetta formosa Bp.) 



Description. — Length about 16 

 inches. ' Bill black. Iris brown. 

 Legs greenish slate-color. 



Male has a black crown, each feather 

 bordered with yellow. Cheeks buff, 

 with a white streak above the eye and 

 a black stripe through the eye extend- 

 ing diagonally backwards and down- 

 wards, meeting the black of the throat 

 on each side. Back of the head and 

 neck have four concentric stripes 

 buff, black, green, and buff. Upper 

 breast mauve, lighter below and 

 marked with small black spots. 

 Abdomen white, finely barred. 

 Back grey and reddish brown 



