THE TEAL. 279 



rapid, care should be taken to hold well in front of 

 the leading bird. 



Teal are very sociable in their habits, and during 

 the winter they may often be found in company 

 with the common Wild-ducks. But although they 

 mingle together when on the water, on being dis- 

 turbed the species always separate, the Teal going 

 off in one flock, the ducks in another. On rising 

 from the water they do not first swim away from 

 the danger, or flutter over the surface as some fowl 

 do, but jump suddenly into the air without warning, 

 so that if you are approaching them in a punt and 

 do not pull the trigger the moment you find that 

 you are perceived by them, you will in all probability 

 lose your chance of a shot. 



During the winter months this species is fre- 

 quently found on the coast in company with 

 Widgeon, and large numbers are often killed at a 

 single shot with a punt-gun. 



The Teal, however, appears to prefer the neigh- 

 bourhood of fresh water, and is certainly one of the 

 most beautiful ornaments in the winter scenery of 

 our ponds and brooks. 



