212 ANATID^E. 



In the female the head is simply white, spotted 

 with black : the back is a striped brown, and the breast 

 a speckled brown. The males frequently assume this 

 plumage. 



The green-winged Teal breeds in the northern regions 

 of Canada, but chiefly in that great nursery of ducklings, 

 the Hudson's Bay country, and frequents all the feeding 

 grounds southward throughout both Provinces during 

 the autumn. They go south in October, and further so 

 than most other species. The nest, which is secreted 

 among the long reeds growing at the water's edge, and is 

 not to be found without wading, is very large in propor- 

 tion to the size of the bird, being composed of an immense 

 quantity of dead grass, rushes, and leaves, and lined with 

 feathers. The eggs vary from eight to twelve in number, 

 and are white, spotted with brown. 



Though these Teal are frequently seen in company 

 with other ducks of various kinds on the water, yet when 

 flying they keep exclusively together, and generally hi 

 small parties, darting through the air also with great 

 rapidity. 



Their food is almost entirely vegetable, and in search 

 of it they frequent swampy river mouths, shallows, and 

 lagoons, the wild rice growing in these localities being 

 a great attraction to them, as it is to most other ducks. 



The Blue -winged Teal (Querquedula discors), which, 



