TEAL 



Querquedula crecca 



HE Teal is a somewhat locally distributed resident through- 

 out the British Islands. In winter its numbers are largely 

 augmented by migrants from further north. Large numbers 

 frequent the coast at this season, but many retire inland 

 to the lakes, rivers, and swamps, moving southward in 

 very severe weather. It breeds in most suitable districts 

 throughout Great Britain and Ireland, but is more common 

 in the northern districts. 



The habits of the Teal differ very little from those of its congeners : its 

 food is the same a mixture of animal and vegetable substances, and it 

 loves to haunt the same reedy lochs, rivers, and swamps, though perhaps it 

 is hardly so partial to the mudbanks on the sea-shore as its relatives are. 

 It is not nearly so shy a bird as the Mallard or Shoveler, and often swims 

 about among the reeds, allowing itself to be watched from quite a short 

 distance without any sign of fear. On the wing it is very swift, and rises 

 easily from the surface of the water without much splashing. It is the 

 smallest European duck, and quite the tamest. Few birds can show such a 

 magnificent diversity of colouring as the Teal Drake in full nuptial plumage. 



The alarm-note of the Teal is a short sharp ' krake,' somewhat harsher 

 than the call-note, which is a loud ' krik-krikj and during the pairing-season 

 the drake may often be heard to utter a harsh grating note. During migration 

 the flocks of Teal are sometimes very large ; but even in these huge assemblages 

 very little noise is heard, except the whistling of countless wings and an 

 occasional quack. It is quite as gregarious as the Wigeon and Mallard, and, 

 except during the breeding-season, is usually met with in flocks of varying 

 size. 



The favourite breeding-haunts of the Teal are among the scattered trees 

 VOL. in. 2 F 109 



