THE GARGANY, OR SUMMER TEAL. 335 



seen in summer, and on that account it is one of those birds 

 which have sometimes been rather inconsiderately described 

 as leaving the country in the breeding season, whereas in 

 reality it seems to be less migrant than most of the family, 

 and only to shift about from place to place as food fails it in 

 those which it leaves. Indeed, as the small lakes margined 

 with reeds, which are dispersed through the flat and fertile 

 tracts are its principal haunts, and as it does not quit these 

 until the cover is completely destroyed or the water frozen, 

 it often remains on the same spot all the year round, and 

 little is known of its presence, except the ckcking whistle of 

 the male in the breeding season. That cry is heard in March, 

 and the eggs, which vary from seven to ten, are deposited in 

 April, in a nest of the leaves and stems of water plants, 

 larger and more carefully made than that of many other of 

 the swimming birds, but so hidden among the herbage as to 

 be but seldom seen. The eggs are about the size of those of 

 the pigeon, of a dull yellow. The nest is often in a hole 

 under a bank or bush. The males assemble in small parties 

 in the latter part of the season, before the females and the 

 young make their appearance. 



THE GARGANY, OR SUMMER TEAL (Querquedula circia). 



The gargany is about the same weight as the common teal, 

 but it is a little larger both in the body and the extent of 

 the wings. It resembles the other in many of its habits, and 

 especially in being a hideling in the breeding season ; but, in 

 accordance with its more elongated and slender form, it 

 appears to be rather more discursive. It is chiefly known in 

 Britain as a winter migrant, and as such it is found on or 

 near the coasts suitable to its habits, in all parts of the 

 country from Cornwall to the northern isles. It probably 

 ranges farther to the south than its congeners : though it 

 appears rather to shift seaward than southward in the winter. 



