CHAPTER XV. 



GREEN-WINGED TEAL (ANAS CRECCA). 



Adult male : Bill almost as long as the head, 

 deeper than broad at the base, depressed toward 

 the end, its breadth nearly equal in its whole 

 length, being, however, a little enlarged toward 

 the rounded tip. 



Head of moderate size, compressed. Neck of 

 moderate length, rather slender. Body full, de- 

 pressed. Wings rather small. Feet short, placed 

 rather far back. Claws small, curved, compressed, 

 acute ; the hind one smaller and more curved ; 

 that of the third toe largest, and with an inner 

 sharp edge. 



Plumage dense, soft, blended. Feathers of 

 the middle of the head and upper part of hind 

 neck very narrow, elongated, with soft, filamen- 

 tous, disunited bands ; of the rest of the head and 

 upper parts of neck, very short; of the back and 

 lower parts in general, broad and rounded. Wings 



190 



