122 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



formed their intended end. I by no means consider the point 

 decided. 



" The naturalists of Europe have designated this little Duck 

 by the name of American Teal, as being a species different from 

 their own. On an examination, however, of the figure and de- 

 scription of the European Teal, by the ingenious and accurate 

 Bewick, and comparing them with the present, no difference 

 whatever appears in the length, extent, color, or markings of 

 either but what commonly occurs among individuals of any 

 other tribe ,• both undoubtedly belong to one and the same 

 species. 



" This, like the preceding, is a fresh water Duck, common 

 in our markets in autumn and winter, but rarely seen here in 

 summer. It frequents ponds, marshes, and the reedy shores of 

 creeks and rivers ; is very abundant among the rice plantations 

 of the Southern States ; flies in small parties, and feeds at night ; 

 associates often with the Duck and Mallard, feeding on the 

 seeds of various kinds of grasses and water plants, and also on 

 the tender leaves of vegetables. Its flesh is accounted excel- 

 lent." — Wilson''s Ornithological Biography. 



I have myself shot this bird repeatedly on both continents — of 

 Europe and America — and am very decidedly of opinion that the 

 alleged two species are identical. I have killed male birds in 

 England with the transverse bar, or my memory grossly de- 

 ceives me ; and most assuredly I have seen specimens here, since 

 my attention has been called to the point of distinction, wanting 

 it. I fancy that the variation depends on the age of the indi- 

 vidual birds. 



THE WOOD DUCK— SUMMER DUCK. 



Anas Sponsa. 



" Male, 201.28. Female, 19i 



" Breeds throughout the country from Texas to the Colum- 



