102 ANATIDA 
resembles that of the female, but is distinguished by the 
presence of the bronze-green alar speculum. 
Adult female nuptial—Head, neck, back, scapulars and 
wings, mottled-brown ; breast and abdomen, greyish-white ; 
tail-feathers, barred with buff and dark brown; middle tail- 
feathers not prolonged much further than the rest. 
Adult winter, male and female.—Similar to the respective 
nuptial plumages. 
Immature, male and female.— Resembles the female 
plumage, but the young male can be distinguished by the 
presence of the alar speculum. 
Beak. Slate-grey. 
FEET. Slate-grey. 
IripEs. Dark brown. 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH ... Sg .. 28 in. (ncluding 
the long central 
tail-feathers). 
WING. fae Ne as eae OUR e hha 
BEAK Fi aE ed a 
TARSO-METATARSUS.... via, MESO ae 
eres inl Wes eanl Lasyitice 
Note.—In several old drakes which I measured, I found 
that the central tail-feathers averaged about 7°5 to 8 in. 
TEAL. Nettion crecca (Linneus). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. vy, 
pl. 16; Dresser, ‘Birds of Europe,’ vol. vi, pl. 426; 
Lilford, ‘ Coloured Figures,’ vol. vii, pl. 37. 
Diminutive in size and of dainty appearance, the Teal 
is familiar to most of us as a widely distributed and common 
Duck in our Islands. Its numbers are increased in autumn 
and winter by migrants which reach our shores, some 
arriving early in September. No common British bird 
has found more favour, or has attracted more attention 
than this neat little game-bird. The scientific and patient 
observer, who watches its habits without destructive intent, 
is filled with admiration at the activity displayed, as the 
Teal glides gaily to and fro on a sheltered pond or stream. 
