208 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



Favier, this Teal appears near Tangier only on migration and does 

 not occur every year. It arrives during February and March, on its 

 way to the north, and may be seen returning south in September. 



In Spain the species seems to be equally irregular jn its appear- 

 ance. Further east, however, in the Mediterranean, particularly in 

 spring, it is more regular in its appearance, and in Sicily and some 

 parts of Southern Italy it arrives every spring about the same date and 

 in large numbers. Off the south-vs^est coast of Sicily, towards the 

 middle of March, when the passage of these Ducks may be said to be 

 at its height, flock after flock may be seen passing, flying close to the 

 surface of the water, and often resting thereon for some time. During 

 bad weather and when the sea is rough, a good many of these flocks 

 come inland and settle on the marshes, which are to be found along 

 some parts of that coast, and good sport may often be had with these 

 Ducks. In the marshes near Catania the species is plentiful in March, 

 and, according to Doderlein, a few pairs breed and are to be found 

 there throughout the year. 



The Garganey is sociable in its habits and not so shy and wary as 

 most Ducks. It flies swiftl}', swims well, and feeds on vegetable- 

 substance as well as on small molluscs, worms and water insects. Its 

 note when on migration, is not unlike the word "ghirri" repeated 

 once or twice ; the bird in fact goes by the name of the " Ghirri- 

 ghirri " in some parts of Sicily, other vernacular Sicilian names for it 

 being " Trizzola," " Kidenna," and " Marzolina." 



The eggs of this species, usually from eight to twelve in number, 

 are of a creamy-buff colour, and measure about 48 X 3-1 mm. 



DAFILA ACUTA (Linn^us). 

 PINTAIL. 



Anas acuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 202 (1766). 



Dafila acuta, Eyton, Cat. Brit. Birds, p. 60 (1836) ; Salvadori, Cat. 

 Birds Brit. Mus. xxvii, p. 271 ; Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 381 

 (1867) ; Komicj, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 296 ; id. J. f. 0. 1893, p. 103 ; 

 Whitakcr, Ibis, 1895, p. 105 ; Erlanrjer, J.f. 0. 1900, p. 71. 



Anas (Dafila) acuta, Malherbe, Cat. liais. d'Ois. Alg. p. 22 (1846). 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from North Tunisia. 

 Head and nape umber-brown, darkest c.i lbs crown, and glossed on the 

 sides of the nape with metallic-pui-ple reflections; hind neck black, becoming 



