250 DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS, AND PELICANS. 



cult of access. Nevertheless, tlie inhabitants of Iceland, Lapland, 

 and the coasts of the North Sea invariably secure them. The 

 harvest which is derived from these birds is the source of a con- 

 siderable revenue, eider-down being, in fact, a very large article 

 of commerce. The rocks where the Eider Ducks lay their eggs 

 are private property, and are handed down in families just as if 

 they were the most valuable possessions. 



THE COMMON TEAL. 



ENGLISH SYNONYMS. Common Teal : Montagu, Selby. Green- winged 

 Teal. 



LATIN SYNONYMS. Anas crecca : Linn., Latham, Memming, Temminck, 

 Jenyns. Querquedula crecca : Bonaparte, Selby, McGillivray. 



FRENCH SYNONYM. Canard Sarcelle. 



This is the smallest of the Duck kind known in the British 

 Isles. It is a remarkably beautiful bird, and in colouring as well 



Fig. 94. Common Teal (Anas crecca). 



as in form closely resembles the Mallard, but is much smaller. 

 It frequents marshy places and the margins of lakes and rivers, 

 seldom betaking itself to estuaries or the sea-coast until frost sets 

 in. It walks with ease, swims with great dexterity, flies rapidly, 

 and is in all respects remarkable for its activity. It rises from 

 the water or the land at once, and shoots away with great 

 rapidity, so that the marksman who would bring it down must be 

 very expert with his gun. It breeds in the long reedy grasses 

 on the margin of lakes, or on upland moors and marshes. Its nest 



