THE TEAL 191 
in its habits from the common wild Duck. It is occasionally taken 
in decoys in Norfolk, and has often been observed to associate with 
Wigeons. Its note is described by Montagu as being ‘extremely 
soft and inward’. 
The Pintail Duck has a wide geographical range, as it either 
breeds in or pays winter visits to the greater part of the northern 
hemisphere. The male annually assumes in summer the plumage 
of the female, resembling in this respect the Mallard, to be described 
hereafter. The flesh is considered excellent, on which account it 
is much sought after by wild-fowl shooters, both on the coast and 
in the fens. 
THE TEAL 
QUERQUEDULA CRECCA 
Head and neck bright chestnut ; on each side of the head a broad green band 
edged with buff, inclosing the eye and extending to the nape; lower 
part of the neck, back, and flanks, marked with numerous black and 
white zigzag lines; breast reddish white, with roundish black spots; 
speculum black, green and purple, edged with white ; bill dusky ; irides 
brown ; feet ash. Female—upper plumage dusky brown mottled with 
reddish grey; throat, cheeks and a band behind the eyes yellowish 
white spotted with black ; speculum black and green. Length fourteen 
inches and a half. Eggs yellowish white. 
THE Teal is the smallest, and by no means the least beautiful, among 
the British Ducks. It is decidedly an indigenous species, as it 
breeds in many parts both of Great Britain and Ireland, especially 
in the eastern counties, in Welsh bogs, and northern mosses. It is 
domesticated, too, without difficulty, and is generally to be found 
on artificial and other pieces of water where the breed of water fowl 
is encouraged. Its favourite summer resorts in England are lakes 
which are lined with rushes, boggy places on the moors, and sedgy 
rivers. It is an active bird, rising from the water with great facility, 
and having a rapid flight. The few Teal which remain all the year 
with us pair early in spring. I have observed them in couples on 
the Kennet, in Berkshire, before winter had well departed. They 
appear to have a strong attachment to any place on which they 
have once fixed to build their nest, and return to the same locality 
year after year ; and the young brood remain in the neighbourhood 
of their birthplace until pairing time in the following year. The 
nest is usually placed among coarse herbage by the bank of a lake 
or river, and is constructed of decayed vegetable matter, lined with 
down and feathers, and contains from ten to fifteen eggs. The 
number, however, of these birds to be found with us in summer is 
as nothing compared with the immense flocks which visit our inland 
lakes and swamps in winter. They are then much sought after for 
the table, being considered more delicate eating than any others of 
