THE TEAL. 27 



even small streams and ditches, more especially it' they 

 find there the protection of flags and rushes. 



Their food consists of grain generally, especially barley 

 and oats, which is first moistened before swallowing ; they 

 also feed upon duckweed and such-like plants, as well as 

 grass, seeds, and water-insects. 



The nest is usually built by the side of an inland lake, 

 but may also be found in many other places, and even 

 sometimes placed in clefts of rock or in stony places by the 

 sea-shore. This nest is generally built of vegetable sub- 

 stances, such as heath and grasses, and is placed amongst 

 the rushes that grow in moist and boggy localities. They 

 line this structure thickly with down and feathers. The 

 nest is large. 



The eggs vary in number, but are generally about 

 eleven, though they range from eight to fifteen. They are 

 dirty-white, tinged with buff. 



Teal are somewhat gregarious, although the males 

 generally form small parties towards the close of autumn, 

 before the young have left the females. They also gene- 

 rally travel in flocks, and, like all ducks, with their heads 

 stretched out, and generally ranged in a triangle; their 

 flight is strong and straight, and in the daytime is sus- 

 tained at a considerable elevation. When they start their 

 flight from the water they flap their wings upon it for 

 some distance, until they are able to raise themselves above 

 it. In alighting, also, they skim the water for some 

 distance. 



The indigenous birds remain in the district where they 

 were born, and leave their resting-place soon after sunset 

 in search of food. During the day, however, they will 

 generally be found resting by the side of the water, beneath 



