SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS. 213 



of inland lakes during the daytime, feeding at night, 



the food consisting chiefly of aquatic plants. In its 



ways the Garganey resembles the Common Teal, but 



may always be distinguished from it by the presence 



of the blue-gray tract near the shoulder in the wing 



of the Garganey. It has a swift flight and uses a 



harsh quack, but in spring emits a jarring sound like 



a rattle. 



PINTAIL DUCK— 26 inches. This Duck— a much larger 

 bird — resembles the Garganey in possessing a ^vhite 

 neck-stripe, but the fore-neck and breast are white, and 

 the central tail-feathers much elongated. 



COMMON TEAL.— Plate 93. 15 inches. Head 

 and neck chestnut, except broad green band curving 

 back from the eye to the nape, this band being edged 

 with a buff line ; upper parts minutely variegated with 

 dark and light gray ; double line of black and white 

 along the sides of the back, the latter becoming darker 

 towards the tail ; wings ashy ; speculum green ; breast 

 huffish, with heavy dark spots ; under parts wliitish, 

 but finely variegated on sides of body like the uj^per 

 parts ; bufli" and black below tail ; bill blackish ; feet 

 dusky. Female : dark brown above, with lighter 

 edges to the feathers ; speculum green ; under parts 

 whitish, mottled with dark brown on front of neck, 

 breast, and flanks. Resident and winter migrant. 



Eggs. — 8-10, or more, pale greenish -buff; IS^ 1'2 

 inch (plate 133). 



Nest. — Of grass and leaves, lined with the bird's 

 own down, and placed among coarse herbage or 

 beneath a bush by the water-side. 



