THE GREEN-WINGED TEAL 303 



upper breast a beautiful buff tint with numer- 

 ous black " polka dots" scattered through it, 

 these growing fewer and fainter below, and the 

 buff fading gradually into a grayish white, on 

 the flanks finely pencilled with regular lines of 

 black. Crissum black with buff both before and 

 behind it. Bill black; iris brown; feet dull 

 bluish. 



The females of our own species and of the 

 European race are not to be distinguished 

 apart. Our bird may average a trifle larger. 

 The female is not crested and is much less show- 

 ily dressed. Head and neck light yellowish 

 brown, finely streaked with black. Above, mot- 

 tled with yellow, brown and black. Below gray- 

 ish, with buff shadings and dusky specklings on 

 the breast. In her other coloring she is nearly 

 like the male. 



With these, as is generally the case with the 

 duck tribe, the greater number breed beyond 

 the boundaries of the United States, through 

 the lake country of Canada, anywhere east of 

 the Eockies, though where conditions are suit- 

 able they are fairly numerous during the nest- 

 ing season in the northernmost States. The 

 nest is made upon the ground; a slight affair 



