BRITISH BIRDS. 



I i 



THE GARGANEY. 



Quergtiedula, Linn. Canard sarcelle d 1 

 Temm.) 



THIS species, which is only a little bigger than 

 the Teal, is clothed with an elegant plumage, and 

 has altogether a most agreeable and sprightly look. 

 It measures about seventeen inches in length, and 

 twenty-eight in breadth. The bill is of a dark lead 

 colour, nearly black: the irides light hazel. From 

 the crown of the head, over the nape of the neck 

 downwards, it is of a glossy brown: chin black: 

 brow, cheeks, and the upper fore part of the 

 neck, reddish chesnut, with vinous reflections, and 

 sprinkled all over with numerous small pointed 

 white lines. A white stripe passes over each eye, 

 and slanting backwards, falls down on each side of 

 the neck, the lower part of which, with the breast, 

 is light brown, pretty closely crossed with semi- 

 circular bars of black : the shoulders and back are 

 marked nearly the same, but on a darker ground: 



