304 FEATHERED GAME 



of weeds and dry grass lined with feathers. 

 This generally contains in the neighborhood of 

 eight eggs, of a dull, grayish green color. 



The Green-winged Teal is common all over 

 eastern North America, perhaps less numerous 

 beyond the Rockies and on the Pacific Coast, 

 and is of casual occurrence in Europe. 



THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 



(Querquedula discors.) 



In habits and mode of life this species is al- 

 most identical with the green-winged teal. It 

 is a trifle larger and a little more southerly in 

 its range. The *' Blue-wing" is seldom seen 

 west of the Rockies except as it straggles to the 

 extreme northern part of its habitat. 



The drake is a showy bird. His wedding 

 clothes are a credit to himself and to his tailor. 

 His head is dark slatey brown with a sheen of 

 purple to the feathers; the crown darkening 

 with fine dusky markings. A large crescent of 

 white with its points extending backward in 

 front of each eye. (This is lacking in the fall 

 plumage.) Lower hind neck and upper part of 

 the back blackish, the back mottled with black. 



