326 



THE ANIMALS OP NEW ZEALAND 



brown on the cheeks. Speculum, green, margined above and below with 

 black. Eye, bright hazel. Length of the wing, 10.5; of the tarsus, 1.6.5 

 inches. Egg — Cream colour; length, 2.5 inches. From Java, through 

 Australia and Polynesia to New Zealand and the Chathams, Auckland, 

 and Campbell Islands. 



The nest of the grey duck has been found in many situations. 

 It has been seen by Mr. Potts close by the edge of a biLsh creek, 

 amongst damp ferny shades ; out on the plain, sheltered by a 

 tussock, quite far away from water ; and often on a hillside ; 



Grey Teal. 



CJ ')■.). Zoo/. Society.) 



sometimes even in trees. But wherever the cup-shaped nest is 

 found, Avhetlier on the level plain or in a swamp, it is profusely 

 lined with down, and diffuses a strong musky odour. The grey 

 duck, fortunately, still maintains its ground, in spite of heavy 

 losses each year in the shooting season. In the autunni, when the 

 harvest is over, it resorts in the evening to feed in the stubble 

 fields, and is specially partial to pea stul)bles. 



