138 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



the struggle is probably none too hard, and the mortality 

 therefore low enough to stand a severe winter drain. 

 Sport has seldom proved inimical to a species as a whole, 

 for it has its compensations. But we can well understand 

 that extermination would soon overtake a bird persecuted 

 in its summer area and pursued for sport in its winter 

 abode ! 



In nesting habits the Teal does not differ widely from 

 the Mallard. The eggs, from eight to ten or more in 

 number, are of faint cream-bufF or greenish white. They 

 are of coiu-se much smaller in size than the Mallard's. 

 The down lining the nest, which is built by the water- 

 side, is gray, darker in the centres. The duckling in its 

 down plumage is dark brown on the upper-parts, except 

 for some buff-coloured patches and dark streaks about 

 the head. We have already remarked that the Teal 

 breeds freely in captivity. It also interbreeds with 

 several other species. It may be here remarked that a 

 large number of different duck hybrids are on record, not 

 a few being known to occur even in the wild state. 



THE GARGANEY 



(Querquedula circia). 



The Garganey is a small and graceful Duck of rather 

 dull plumage. It is allied to the Teal, but may be 

 readily distinguished by the broad pale streak above the 

 eye. It nests locally in the east of England, especially 

 on the Norfolk ' broads,' where it is well protected. To 

 the greater part of the British Isles it is only an un- 

 common wanderer. The eight or more cream-coloured 

 eggs are nearly as small as the Teal's, but are never 

 greenish in colour. The down lining the nest, which is 



