COMMON TEAL. 455 



(rarely), Locker Tarn in Wensleydale (1893), Masham (occa- 

 sionally), Swaledale, as high as Keld (1901), Arkengarthdale 

 (in these two latter dales several pairs nest, and it is described 

 as a more abundant resident than the Mallard) ; in Upper 

 Teesdale it nests occasionally, and is recorded from Adel Moor, 

 near Leeds, in 1876 (Leeds Nat. Club, July 1876). In the 

 Holderness district it is not considered as a frequent or regular 

 nesting species. 



Amongst the migratory waterfowl the Teal is the earliest 

 in arrival, and is well known along the coast line as a common 

 autumn and winter visitant, large flocks coming from oversea 

 as early as August ; I have noticed them at Redcar on the 

 i6th of that month. Great flights occur in September and 

 October, passing with other migrant fowl, which in winter 

 become diffused over the country, being then found on 

 most of the marshes, rivers, and sheets of fresh water. There 

 is a return migration in March and April, and individuals 

 have been seen as late as the 22nd of the latter month at the 

 Teesmouth, though it is possible they may have been intending 

 nesters on the marshes of the Durham side of the estuary. 

 This duck has occasionally been killed by striking against 

 the lanterns of our sea-beacons ; Mr. M. Bailey shewed me 

 a specimen in October 1903, which was picked up under the 

 Lighthouse on Flamborough Head. 



Though it is to be feared that, both as a resident and 

 also as an immigrant, this species is decreasing in numbers, 

 there can be no doubt it was extremely numerous in former 

 times, as may be gathered from the evidence contained 

 in ancient documents ; thus we find that, at the great banquet 

 given at Cawood in 1466, in honour of the Archbishop of York, 

 amongst the provision made were 4,000 " Mallardes and 

 Teales " ; in the Northumberland Household Book, begun 

 in 1512, at Earl Percy's Castles of Wressill and Lekinfield there 

 appears " Item, it is thought good that no Teylles be bought 

 bot if so be that other Wyldefowl cannot be gotten and 

 to be at jd. a pece." Again, at the marriage feast of Sir John 

 Neville's daughter at Chevet, near Wakefield, in 1526, thirty 

 dozen Mallards and Teals were priced at 3 us. 8d. In the 



VOL. II. G 



