118 FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPORTS. 



" The young birds are similar to the female, but paler, and 

 without the speculum." — Auduboii's Birds of America. 



" The Blue-Winged Teal is the first of its tribe that returns 

 to us in the autumn from its breeding-place in the North. They 

 are usually seen early in September along the shores of the Dela- 

 ware, where they sit on the mud, close to the edge of the water, 

 so crowded together, that the gunners often kill great numbers 

 at a single discharge. When a flock is discovered thus sitting 

 and sunning themselves, the experienced gunner runs his bateau 

 ashore at some distance above or below them, and, getting out, 

 pushes her before him over the slippery mud, concealing him- 

 self all the while behind her. By this method he can sometimes 

 approach within twenty yards of the flock, among which he 

 generally makes great slaughter. They fly rapidly, and when 

 they alight, drop down suddenly, like the Snipe or Woodcock, 

 among the reeds or on the mud. They feed chiefly on vegeta- 

 ble food, and are eagerly fond of the seeds of the reeds or wild 

 oats. Their flesh is excellent, and after their residence for a 

 short time among the reeds, they become very fat. As the first 

 frosts come on, they proceed to the South, being a delicate bird, 

 very susceptible of cold. They abound in the inundated rice fields 

 of the Southern States, where vast numbers are taken in traps, 

 placed on small dry eminences, that here and there rise above 

 the water. These places are strewed with rice, and by the 

 common contrivance called a figure four they are caught alive 

 in hollow traps. In the month of April they pass through Penn- 

 sylvania for the North, but make little stay at that season. I 

 have observed them numerous on the Hudson, opposite to the 

 Katskill Mountains. They rarely visit the sea shore." — Wil- 

 son's Am. Ornithology. 



The Blue-Winged Teal is stated to be very easily tan ed, and 

 very docile in confinement. It is strange that this bird ttod the 

 Wood Duck are not both domesticated. 



