YELLOW-BILLED TEAL 143 



this species, I think, exceeds them all in pugnacity, 

 and when two pairs come together the males almost 

 invariably begin fighting. 



YELLOW-BILLED TEAL 



Querquedula flavirostris 



Above slatcy brown ; head barred with narrow blackish bands ; 

 middle of back rufescent, with centres of the feathers black and 

 narrowly margined with ochraceous ; a broad wing speculum, black, 

 margined with ochraceous above and below and a bronzy green 

 blotch in the centre ; wing feathers slatey ; margins of secondaries 

 pale rufous ; beneath whitish, spotted with black ; bill yellow, feet 

 dark ; length 15, wing 7.5 inches. Female similar. 



IN the southern part of the Argentine Republic this 

 is one of the commonest species, and is almost invari- 

 ably found in every marsh, stream, and pool of water 

 on the pampas. It is resident, and usually goes in 

 flocks of from a dozen to thirty individuals. It has 

 a rapid flight, and is restless, lively, and extremely 

 pugnacious in its habits. When a flock is on the water 

 the birds are perpetually quarrelling. They are also 

 highly inquisitive, and I have often shot them by 

 first showing myself to the flock, and then standing 

 or sitting still, when they would soon come wheeling 

 about, flying in very close order. They quack and 

 chatter in a variety of tones, and the male has also a 

 clear, whistling note in the love-season. 



The nest of this Duck is always made at a distance 

 from the water, sometimes as far as one or two miles. 



