YELLOW-BILLED TEAL 143 
this species, I think, exceeds them all in pugnacity, 
and when two pairs come together the males almost 
invariably begin fighting. 
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL 
Querquedula flavirostris 
Above slatey brown; head barred with narrow blackish bands; 
middle of back rufescent, with centres of the feathers black and 
narrowly margined with ochraceous; a broad wing speculum, black, 
margined with ochraceous above and below and a bronzy green 
blotch in the centre; wing feathers slatey ; margins of secondaries 
pale rufous; beneath whitish, spotted with black; bill yellow, feet 
dark; length 15, wing 7.5 inches. Female similar. 
In the southern part of the Argentine Republic this 
is one of the commonest species, and is almost invari- 
ably found in every marsh, stream, and pool of water 
on the pampas. It is resident, and usually goes in 
flocks of from a dozen to thirty individuals. It has 
a rapid flight, and is restless, lively, and extremely 
pugnacious in its habits. When a flock is on the water 
the birds are perpetually quarrelling. They are also 
highly inquisitive, and I have often shot them by 
first showing myself to the flock, and then standing 
or sitting still, when they would soon come wheeling 
about, flying in very close order. They quack and 
chatter in a variety of tones, and the male has also a 
clear, whistling note in the love-season. 
The nest of this Duck is always made at a distance 
from the water, sometimes as far as one or two miles. 
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