398 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



and white ; under tail-coverts velvet black ; legs, 

 toes, and webs greyish-brown. 



The female is much subdued in coloration ; her 

 head is light brown, speckled with a darker tint 

 of the same colour ; the green spangle on the wing 

 is velvety black ; back dark brown, the feathers 

 being edged with a lighter tinge of the same colour ; 

 breast and under parts dull white, spotted with 



NEWLY HATCHED YOUNG TEAL IN NEST. 



dark brown. The male assumes female plumage 

 about the end of July. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground amongst 

 heather, rushes, sedges, and coarse grass, near lakes 

 and small sluggish streams, in mountain swamps, 

 by pools and tarns, and in moss bogs. In nearly 

 all suitable districts throughout the British Isles, 

 perhaps scarcest in the south. 



Materials. Dried sedges, flags, rushes, reeds, 

 and grass, lined with down from the bird's own 

 body. 



Eggs. Eight to fifteen, usually nine or ten ; 

 buffish or creamy white, sometimes very faintly 

 tinged with green. Distinguishable from those of 



