The Teal 



391 



feathers become dark and grey, so that he is hardly to 

 be distinguished from the female. 



Widgeons commonly fly in small flocks during the 

 night, and may be known from other birds by their 

 whistling note, while they are on the wing. They quit 

 the desert morasses of the north on the approach of 

 winter, and as they advance towards the ends of their 

 destined southern journey, they spread themselves along 

 the shores, and over the marshes and lakes, in various 

 parts of the continent, as well as those of the British 

 isles ; and it is said that some of the flocks advance as 

 far south as Egypt. 



The Widgeon is easily domesticated in places where 

 there is plenty of water, and is much admired for its 

 beauty, sprightly look, and busy, frolicsome manners; 

 yet it is generally asserted that they will not breed in 

 confinement, or at least that the female will not make a 

 nest and perform the act of incubation ; but that she will 

 lay eggs, which are generally dropped into the water. 



THE TEAL, (Querquedula crecca,) 



Is the least of the duck tribe, weighing only twelve 

 ounces. The lower part of the body is of a dingy white, 

 inclining to a grey tint. The back and sides under the 

 wings are curiously varied with lines of white and black; 

 the wings are all over brown, and the tail of the same 

 colour. This bird is common in England during the 

 winter months, and it is still uncertain whether it does 

 not breed here as it does in France. Dr. Heysham says 

 it is known to breed in the neighbourhood of Carlisle. 

 The female makes her nest of reeds interwoven with 



