BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 307 



rest of the upper parts vermiculated with black and white 

 except the rump and tail-coverts, which are black. Under 

 parts white, the lower part of the neck and breast being 

 spotted and sometimes of a yellowish tinge; flanks vermiculated 

 with black. Speculum green and purplish black. Bill black, 

 legs brownish grey. The female is mottled with brown and buff. 

 The young resemble the female. The male in his "eclipse" 

 dress, which is worn till late in the autumn, resembles the 

 female very closely, more so in fact than is the case with any 

 other species of duck. Length about 14 in. ; wing 7*25 in. 



AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL 



Anas carolinensis {Gmelin) 



This species has only occurred three or four times in 

 these islands. It inhabits North America, migrating south in 

 winter. The male differs from the Common Teal in having 

 some greyish vermiculated feathers on either side of the breast, 

 and the buflfish-white lines on the face are very slightly defined. 

 The female cannot be distinguished from our native species. 

 Length 16 in. ; wing 7*25 in. 



BLUE-WINGED TEAL 



Anas discors {Linnceus) 



This American species has been taken at least once in the 

 United Kingdom. The male has the throat, forehead, and 

 crown dark lead colour, and a white crescent between the eye 

 and the bill. Cheeks and neck dull lavender grey. Length 

 16 in. ; wing 7*25 in. 



GADWALL 



Anas strepera (J^innceus) 



The Gadwall is a scarce visitor to our shores, occurring 

 irregularly along the east coasts of Scotland and England, but 



