BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 47 
head, going directly away, better save his shell; still, if 
he wants to experiment, he might try. Possibly the 
bird will slack its speed and give the shot a chance to 
catch up; this being an event of so much uncertainty, 
he had better not risk it, unless supplied with plenty of 
shells. Being engaged in feeding, they pay but little 
attention to the hunter, and rush along gulping down 
their food as if their lives depended on its being done 
hastily. 
It takes but a slight blow to kill them, and large num- 
bers are frequently killed at the discharge of both bar- 
rels. Feeding almost continuously, they are always in 
excellent condition, tender, juicy,and all that one could 
desire for the table. After one has been killed and 
dressed for cooking should the discovery be made that 
his ribs are not larded with at least a quarter of an inch 
of fat, depend on it, he merited death, for he was dur- 
ing life a sloth. 
No. 7 or 8 shot is the proper size. 
Anas Discors.—This species measures about 14 inches 
in length, and 22 inches in extent. The bill is long in 
proportion, and of a dusky slate; the front and upper 
part of the head, black; from the eye to the chin is a 
large crescent of white ; the rest of the head and half of 
the neck are of a dark slate, richly glossed with green 
and violet; remainder of the neck and breast black or 
dusky, thickly marked with semi-circles of brownish 
white, elegantly intersecting with each other; belly, 
pale brown, barred with dusky narrow lines; sides 
and vent the same tint spotted with oval marks of dusky ; 
