BRITISH BIRDS. 315 



The Teal is common in England in the winter 

 months, and many of them remain throughout the 

 year to breed. The female makes a beautiful nest, 

 which is generally composed of its own down, in- 

 terwoven with small pieces of heather and furze, 

 at the roots of which it is cunningly concealed, 

 not far from the water. The eggs are a little 

 larger than those of a Pigeon, nine or eleven in 

 number, and of a dull white or buff colour. Buffon 

 remarks that the young are seen in clusters on 

 the pools, feeding on cresses, wild chervil, &c., 

 and no doubt, as they grow up, they feed like 

 other Ducks, on the various seeds, grasses, and 

 water plants, as well as upon the smaller ani- 

 mated beings with which all stagnant waters are 

 so abundantly stored. The Teal is highly esteem- 

 ed for the excellent flavour of its flesh. 



