THE TEAL. Ill 



Broomhouse, on the 26th of November 1886, I saw several 

 Teal rise from the Whitadder near Blanerne, and have some- 

 times observed them frequenting a small burn near Edrom 

 Mains. This species is also occasionally noticed on the 

 Tweed about Paxton and Milne Graden. 



The Teal is the smallest of our Wild Ducks, and besides 

 affording good sport with the gun, not being so wary as the 

 Mallard, is excellent for the table. When rising from a 

 stream it generally flies straight up into the air and requires 

 quick shooting, as it is rapid on the wing. 



In olden times it appears to have been a favourite 

 quarry of the falconer, and we find it specially mentioned 

 in an Act of the Scottish Parliament " against slaughter of 

 Wild-fowles," 15th November 1600, James vi., 16, c. 23 

 " Seing in tyme of peace in all tyme bygane, the saids 

 pastymes of hunting and halking were the onely means and 

 instruments to keepe the haill Leiges bodies fra not becom- 

 ming altogether effeminat . . . they discharge any persons 

 whatsomever, within this Kealme in any wyse to sell or buy 

 any fastan reid or fallowe Deare, Daes, Eaes, Hares, Par- 

 tridges, Moore-fowles, Black-cokes, Aith-hennes, Termigants, 

 Wyld Dukes, Teilles, Atteilles, Goldings, Mortyms, Schid- 

 derems, Skaildraik, Herron, Butter, or any sik kynde of 

 fowlles, commonly used to be chased with Halkes, under 

 the paine of ane hundreth pounds, to be incurred alswell 

 by the buyer as the seller." 



The nest of the Teal is usually found amongst rushes or 

 other herbage by the side of a loch or pond, or in a bog or 

 marsh remote from cultivation, and is composed of dead 

 grasses and other plants, with a lining of down and feathers. 

 The eggs are of a greenish cream colour, and vary in number 

 from eight to fifteen. The food consists of water plants, 

 grasses, and insects. 



