320 NATATORES. QUERQUEDULA. TEAL. 



only speaks upon the strength of observations made at a 

 great distance, we may be allowed to doubt the accuracy of 

 his supposition as to the species. Upon the continental parts 

 of Europe it is very plentiful, extending its winter migra- 

 tion farther to the south than the Teal and other Ducks. 

 It is also widely spread over the northern parts of the Asia- 

 tic Continent, as far as Kamtschatka ; but is not enumerated 

 amongst the American birds by WILSON, or any other trans- 

 atlantic ornithologist, although TEMMINCK (in his Manuel) 

 states it to belong to the northern part of that Continent. 

 Food. Its habits are very similar to those of the Teal, and its food 

 consists of insects and larva?, seeds of water-plants, &c. which 

 it obtains by sifting the mud with its bill, a mode of feed- 

 ing common to this and the preceding genera. When in 

 confinement, it has been observed to moisten such food as 

 grain, before swallowing it. It breeds amongst the rank 

 Nest, &c. herbage by the sides of lakes and pools ; and its eggs are 

 reported as of a cream-white, with indistinct spots of a 

 deeper shade ; which latter circumstance may be a matter of 

 doubt, as not being peculiar to the present family. Its usual 

 cry is a low hoarse croak. 



PLATE 53. Represents the Male and Female of the natural 



size. 



General Crown of the head, occiput, and list down the back part 

 tion. of the neck, dark umber-brown. Chin black. Band 



Male. .over the eye, and which is extended down the neck, pure 



white. Cheeks and upper part of the neck chestnut- 

 brown, finely rayed with white. Lower part of the neck 

 and breast pale buff, beautifully varied with spots and 

 semicircular bars of black. Back hair-brown, glossed 

 with green, and the feathers margined paler. Scapulars 

 long and acuminate, black, with a central streak of white. 

 Wing-coverts pale French grey. Speculum glossy leek- 

 green. Belly white. Flanks rayed with black. Vent, 



2 



