176 • DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



which surrounded them, and with which they almost covered 

 themselves. 



Under the terms of the now famous "Bayne law," which 

 was enacted in New York in 1911 and in Massachusetts in 

 1912, the sale of all native wild game is forbidden, except 

 Mallard Ducks, black ducks and white-tailed deer, all of 

 which can be reared in captivity on a commercial basis, 

 killed for market and sold under the official tags of each of 

 the states named. The commercial raising of Mallard Ducks 

 should in time become an industry of some importance. 



The Blue-Winged Teal 1 represents with us a group of 

 three species which contains the smallest ducks found in North 

 America. 



Throughout its l;ome, which embraces the whole United 

 States east of the Rockies, and also far north and far south, 

 it is so common — and also so small- — it is not highly prized by 

 sportsmen, and its worst enemy is the sordid market-hunter. 

 Like the other teal, it prefers quiet, inland waters to the wide 

 expanses that back up from the sea. 



All the teal are quick risers, and also speedy on the wing; 

 but they are rather dull of sense and easy to approach. The 

 BlueAYing is known by the conspicuous white crescent in 

 front of and half -encircling the eye, and the bright-blue patch, 

 called the "speculum," on its wing. 



The Cinnamon Teal 2 is a cinnamon-brown bird of the 

 western half of the United States, once common, but rapidly 

 diminishing in numbers. This species is very difficult to 



1 Quer-qued'u-la d is' cars. Average length, 15 inehes. 



- Quer-qued'u-la cy-an-op'ter-a. Average length, 16 inches. 



