BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 93 



of Harwich says that Teal are seldom seen there now, but 

 that fifty years ago both species were very plentiful. Mr. 

 Nathan C. Perry of Pocasset has seen no Teal for about 

 fifteen years, but used to see large flocks of both species forty- 

 five years ago. Eaton reports it as not uncommon in western 

 New York. 



To-day the Green-winged Teal is becoming a rare bird in 

 New England. More are seen near the coast than elsewhere, 

 but even there not very many are seen or killed. Its scarcity 

 is easily explained. Mr. W. B. Long states that when a flock 

 comes to decoys it is usually " cleaned out," if the blind is 

 well cared for. AVhile I, with a friend, was watching three 

 Green-winged Teal feeding on the shore of a pond in Nan- 

 tucket, in October, 1910, a boy crept up and killed two of 

 them. The other started to fly, but came back to its dying 

 companions, and if the boy's shooting had been as deadly 

 as his intentions he would have killed all three. These three 

 were probably all that remained of a little family that had 

 started south. It is inexplicable how any ever manage to 

 run the gauntlet of the gunners and return to breed. Now 

 and then a solitary bird of this species will find the safe 

 refuge of some of the Boston ponds, where no shooting is 

 allowed, and will remain about Boston all winter, going down 

 the harbor when the ponds are frozen over. This species 

 breeds much farther north than the Blue-winged Teal and 

 winters oftener in temperate regions. It has been found in 

 January near Halifax, N. S. (Cooke). 



This Teal is so unsuspicious that it formerly flocked with 

 domestic Ducks, and often came with them to the barnyard 

 to be fed. Like the Blue-winged Teal it needs some kind of 

 special protection. If in the east it could have a safe refuge 

 in certain ponds it might be able to maintain itself. Large 

 numbers still may be met with in the western States. It 

 normally collects in large flocks, which fly at a tremendous 

 speed, ordinarily in a direct line, but at times in the most 

 tortuous and desultory manner. It is a rapid swimmer, feeds 

 almost entirely in fresh water, and when alarmed springs into 

 the air suddenly and easily. The flocks swim often so com- 



