March during their migration, many more than remain to breed, 

 though in suitable places it breeds not uncommonly. During 

 very severe weather, instead of resorting to the sea, it seems to 

 quit the country in preference ; but, during its autumnal migra- 

 tion in September, flocks are not uncommonly seen at the sea- 

 side, composed entirely of young birds. I do not remember 

 seeing an old drake, changing from his duck-like plumage of 

 summer to its full plumage, killed in the north of England in 

 autumn, and therefore ground my supposition that even this 

 species migrates more than is generally supposed ; and I question 

 whether those which breed with us do not leave the country soon 

 afterwards, and whether those which come in winter have not 

 migrated from some other country. In spring, in the evening, 

 the approach of a flock of Teal is often announced by the short 

 whistle of a drake. In the Mallard the duck is far more noisy 

 than the drake, whether whilst resting or flying, the more sub- 

 dued note of the drake being comparatively seldom heard, whilst 

 in the Wigeon and Teal the notes of the drakes are oftener heard 

 than those of the ducks. 



The Garganey appears to be the least able to bear cold of the 

 ducks which visit us ; it has long been designated the summer 

 Teaf, and probably by no chance ever remains during winter. 

 Like the Shoveller, it does not arrive nntil after all chance of its 

 being frozen out has passed, and, like it, when it once arrives at 

 a pond or marsh during its stay, it does not appear to leave it. 

 I lind I first saw three birds, two drakes and a duck, on the 28th 

 March, 1858. On that day I could not make out what they were 

 with the aid of a glass ; it was a bright day, but windy, and the 

 water was rongh ; I was between them and the sun, and the white 

 line over the drakes' heads was very conspicuous. They kept in 

 the shallow water, and were continually turning up to reach the 

 bottom with their beaks. On the 4th April I saw the same three 

 birds, and ascertained what they were as the water was smooth ; 

 and the following day I took my friend, Mr. John Hancock, to 

 see them. They remained till the 18th, after which day I could 

 not see them. It is a rare bird in the north of England, and I 



