206 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



coverts black, margined with white ; tail grey, margined with white ; 

 primaries grey ; outer secondaries black, tipped with white ; inner second- 

 aries bright metallic-green, forming a distinct speculum ; upper wing-coverts 

 grey, with a white bar tipped with chestnut above the black and green 

 patches ; breast whitish, spotted with blackish ; abdomen white ; sides of 

 body and crissum pencilled with black and white; under tail-coverts black, 

 fringed with white, and with a buff patch on each side. 



Iris brown ; bill and feet blackish. 



Total length 13 inches, wing 7-25, culmen 1-50, tarsus 1-10. 



Adult female, general colour above blackish-brown, mottled with rufous; 

 underparts whitish, speckled with brown and rufous ; the wing showing 

 somewhat the same markings as that of the male, but rather duller. 



Soft parts as in the male ; measurements rather less. 



The adult male in summer assumes a plumage resembling that of the 

 adult female, but may always be distinguished by its larger size, darker 

 colour, and other minor differences. 



The Teal is abundant in Tunisia in winter and on passage, 

 particularly during the spring migration. There seems, however, to 

 be no record of its breeding in the Eegency. 



According to Loche the species is plentiful in Algeria during the 

 winter, and Favier states that it is abundant near Tangier, passing 

 north in February and March, and returning in September and 

 October. 



Tliroughont the Mediterranean basin generally the species is more 

 or less plentiful as a winter migrant, and in some parts a few indi- 

 viduals remain and nest, though the true breeding home of this Duck 

 is further north. 



The Teal is more especially a fresh-water species, chiefly to be 

 found on marshes, pools, streams and small pieces of water, and rarely 

 on the sea-coast or on large salt-water lakes. During the greater part 

 of the day it remains hidden among reeds and other aquatic plants, 

 and appears to feed principally at night, its food consisting of vege- 

 table-matter, grain, seeds, worms and insects. It is gregarious, and 

 sometimes to be found in large flocks, though oftener in small 

 companies. Besides consorting with others of its own kind, it asso- 

 ciates with other species of AnalidcB. 



Its flight is low and very rapid, and w'hen on the wing, it utters a 

 shrill cry like " crek-erek-creh." 



The bird's specific name is no doubt derived from its note. 



