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139. Green-winged Teal. FR.—LA SARCELLE A AILES VERTES. WNeition carolinense. 
L, 14-50. The smallest of our Ducks. The male has a chestnut-coloured head, bar 
back from eye and speculum, iridescent green; finely vermiculated back, and spotted 
breast; nearly white below. The female is a dull-brownish bird considerably lighter below 
and has the characteristic green speculum of the species. 
Distinctions. Size will always separate this little Duck from all others except the 
next species and the Bufflehead, but the presence of the brilliant green speculum will separ- 
ate it from the latter and the entire absence of chalky blue on the shoulders from the 
ormer. 
Field Marks. Small size together with green speculum and lack of chalky blue on 
shoulders are recognition marks for any plumage. 
Nesting. On ground, near water. 
Distribution. - Distributed across the continent but scarce in extreme east. Breeds in 
eastern Canada occasionally and probably originally nested commonly in the lower Great 
Lakes region. 
This is one of the daintiest of the Ducks. Its habit of flying in large 
flocks at great speed makes it well known to sportsmen. The European 
Teal also occasionally straggles to Canada but is very rare. 
140. Blue-winged Teal. FR.—LA SARCELLE A AILES BLEUES. Querquedula discors. 
L, 16. Plate IV B. 
Distinctions. Size will separate the Blue-winged Teal from any other Duck except 
the Green-winged and the Bufflehead and the light blue on the wings will do so in these 
cases. The Shoveller also has a similar blue on the wing, but the small size of the Blue- 
winged and the lack of the broad shovel bill distinguish these two species. - 
Field Marks. Small size, together with white face mark, dark underparts, and chalky 
blue on wings. 
Nesting. On ground, amidst grass. 
Distribution. Across the continent; now rather rare in the extreme east. It is one 
of the few species that still breed regularly though sparsely in the lower Great Lakes 
region. 
A western Teal, the Cinnamon Teal, is occasionally reported from 
eastern Canada, but most of such records are based upon the Blue-winged 
heavily stained below with iron! from the water. 
142. Shoveller. sPooONBILL. FR.—LE CANARD soUCHET. Spatula clypeata. L, 
20. The male is strikingly marked, with a green-black head, white breast and line over 
wings, underparts rich chestnut, cutting in a sharp line against the breast. The shoulders 
are chalky blue and the speculum green. The bill widens out at tip to a broad shovel or 
spoon shape. The female is much like the female Mallard though distinctly smaller. 
Distinctions. Shovel bill separates this species from all others in any plumage. 
Field Marks. White breast, rich chestnut belly, blue on the wings, and size dis- 
tinguish the male. The bill will distinguish any plumage and when it can be seen is perhaps 
the best means of separating the female from the larger female Mallard which it 
resembles. 
Nesting. On ground in grass, not always in the immediate vicinity of water. 
Distribution. This is a bird of the west. It occurs sparingly on the lower Great Lakes 
and only occurs farther east as a straggler. 
143. Pintail. sPRINGTAIL. FR—LE CANARD PILET. Dafila acuta. L, 28. A very 
long and slenderly shaped Duck. Head seal brown, foreneck and underparts white, back 
finely vermiculated in greys, speculum bronze-green bounded by a light chestnut line before 
and a white one behind. The tail is graduated with two greatly elongated middle 
feathers. Female is much like the female Mallard. 
Distinctions. 'The long tail is diagnostic of the male, the Old-Squaw being the only 
other American Duck with anything like this feature, but otherwise the Old-Squaw is 
entirely different and is a Sea not a River Duck. The bronze-green speculum and its 
bounding lines of rufous and white are characteristic of any plumage. Young Green- 
Pagel Teal show almost the same speculum features but the difference in size will obviate 
confusion. 
1See footnote, page 63. 
