274 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



engaged in nesting. The cock Teal, on the other 

 hand, has scarcely an equal amongst wildfowl for 

 beauty of colouring. The chestnut head, with a 

 patch of glossy green on each side, edged with buff ; 

 the neck, back, and flanks beautifully pencilled with 

 black and gray ; the bright green speculum on the 

 wing, broadly bordered above and below with velvet 

 black ; and the black and buff under tail-coverts 

 present to the eye a perfect picture of harmonising 

 colour which defies the imitative pencil of the 

 artist. 



In July the old Teal moult, completely losing 

 their quill-feathers, and are then for a time unable to 

 fly. The males at this season undergo that remark- 

 able change of plumage which has been observed 

 in other ducks, losing all the colours which are 

 characteristic of their sex, and presenting a very 

 sorry appearance in contrast with their spring dress. 

 The young at this time are able to shift for them- 

 selves, for the Teal nests early in the year. We 

 have several times found the eggs during the last 

 week of April. Although usually placed in the 

 vicinity of water, the nest is sometimes at a con- 

 siderable distance from it, and always rests upon 



