208 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



are found chiefly in reedy ponds where they are quite unsuspicious. 

 They seem everywhere abundant east of the Rocky Mountains, 

 and are replaced west of that great barrier by the Cinnamon or 

 Red-breasted Teal, Q. cyanoptera. 



The flesh of the Blue-wing is one of the greatest delicacies 

 accorded to the sportsman or epicure. They are among the first 

 of the ducks to make their appearance in their migrations from 

 the north, and at this season, early fall, congregate in much larger 

 flocks than in the spring. Their principal food consists of wild 

 oats, grass, mosses, and insects found in and along the ponds and 

 creeks. They may frequently be found at mid-day sitting beneath 

 the leaves of large aquatic plants, apparently to avoid the fierce 

 noonday sun. They rarely feed in sandy bottomed ponds, prefer- 

 ring a muddy and weedy bottomed slough. 



In flight they are swift and graceful, skimming low over the 

 v^ater, and, as they fly in closely packed masses, a number may be 

 dropped at a single shot, but the cripples are very skilful in con- 

 cealing themselves and may escape by sinking their bodies low in 

 the water and paddling rapidly away among the dense weeds and 

 brakes. Number six or eight shot is a convenient size for Teal 

 shooting. They stool readily, and their note, which is a feeble imi- 

 tation of the Mallard's, will immediately call them down. 



Querguedula cya>ioJ>tcra. — Cassin. Cinnamon Teal. Red-breasted TeaL 



Head, neck and underparts rich purplish chestnut, darkening 

 on crown and black on belly, rather larger than, but otherwise 

 similar to discors. 



This bird as already noted, seems to fill the same office west of 

 the Rocky Mountains, that the green and blue-winged varieties 

 occupy on the eastern half of the continent. The habits of the 

 Cinnamon Teal and the methods to be employed in its pursuit are 

 identical with those already mentioned. For an interesting account 

 of this species, see Coues' " Birds of the North-west," p. 568. 



SJ>aiuia cly/>cata.—'Bo\e. Shoveller. Spoon-bill. 



General coloring as follows : head and neck green, forebreast 

 white, belly purplish-chestnut, wing coverts blue, speculum green, 

 bordered with white and black, some scapulars blue, others green, 



