318 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



They are fond of the seeds of the wild oats, and become very 

 fat after feeding on them for a short time. In the South they 

 also become very fat, and are considered most excellent eating ; 

 great numbers are shot as well as caught on the ricefields in traps 

 set by the negroes. 



The markets of Philadelphia abound with these ducks, which are 

 sold for a mere trifle. They are considered best by epicures when 

 split open and broiled, with a dressing of butter: we prefer them 

 in this way to all other modes of cooking. 



Blue-winged teal fly with great rapidity and considerable noise ; 

 they drop down suddenly among the reeds, much like a wood- 

 cock. 



DESCRIPTION. 



"This species measures about fourteen inches in length and 

 twenty-two inches in extent; the bill is long in proportion, and 

 of a dark, dusky slate ; the front and upper part of the head are 

 black ; from the eye to the chin is a large crescent of white ; the 

 rest of the head and half the neck are of a dark slate, richly 

 glossed with green and violet; remainder of the neck and breast 

 is black or dusky, thickly marked with semicircles of brownish 

 white, elegantly intersected with each other; belly pale brown, 

 barred with dusky in narrow lines ; sides and vent the same tint, 

 spotted with oval marks of dusky ; flanks elegantly waved with 

 large semicircles of pale brown ; sides of the vent pure white, un- 

 der the tail-coverts black ; back deep brownish-black, each feather 

 waved with large semi-ovals of brownish white ; lesser wing-covert 

 a bright light-blue; primaries dusky brown; secondaries black; 

 speculum, or beauty-spot, rich green ; tertials edged with black or 

 light-blue, and streaked down their middle with white; the tail, 

 which is pointed, extends two inches beyond the wings ; legs and 

 feet yellow, the latter very small ; the two crescents of white before 

 the eyes meet on the throat. 



" The female differs in having the head and neck of a dull dusky 

 slate, instead of the rich violet of the male ; the hind-head is also 



