22 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Teal {Nettion crecca). — There is no difficulty about the 

 identification of the eggs of this bird, as the only others 

 that approach their small size are those of the Garganey. 

 Teal's eggs are, however, slightly smaller than those of 

 the Garganey, and they have a greenish tinge entirely 

 absent from the eggs of the latter species. The down of 

 the Teal is also darker than that of its congener, and has 

 no white tips. The feathers are of a light stone colour, 

 with broad dark patches extending almost to the tip of 

 the feather (PI. I., Figs. 5, 5). 



Gaeganey (Querquedula circia). — In this case the down 

 alone is quite sufficient for identification ; it is smaller 

 than that of the Teal, and very distinctly white tipped. 

 The feathers are light grey, with dark central patches 

 which do not extend either to the tip or edges of the 

 feather (PL I., Figs. 6, 6). The eggs are creamy without 

 the green tinge. The Garganey is probably the rarest of 

 the ducks Avhich breed regularly in this country. It 

 nests in the Broad district, and according to Howard 

 Saunders* has been found breeding in Yorkshire, and 

 its eggs have recently been discovered in Kent. The 

 only nest that has come under my personal observation 

 was found on May 18th, in a field of rank grass not far 

 from one of the Broads. It contained seven fresh eggs. 



WiGEON (Mareca penelope). — Probably owing to pro- 

 tection, and also to the numbers of these birds that are 

 bred in semi-confinement and subsequently allowed their 

 liberty, this bird has largely increased its breeding range. 

 At one time confined to the North of Scotland, it has 

 recently been known to nest in Perthshire, Dumfriesshire, 

 and Yorkshire, whilst I have some evidence that eggs 

 have been laid in Norfolk, and very young birds have 

 been seen at Beaulieu, in Hants, during early August. 

 It has not yet been known to breed in Ireland, and the 

 statement to the contrarj^ has been proved incorrect. 

 Eggs are seldom laid before the latter part of May. The 

 nest is often placed in heather some distance from water 



* " 111. Man. Brit. Birds," 2nd Ed., p. 435. 



