Food. 
Nest, &c. 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
Male. 
320 NATATORES. QUERQUEDULA. TEAL. 
only speaks upon the strength of observations made at a 
great distance, we may be allowed to doubt the accuracy of 
his supposition as to the species. Upon the continental parts 
of Europe it is very plentiful, extending its winter migra- 
tion farther to the south than the Teal and other Ducks. 
It is also widely spread over the northern parts of the Asia- 
tic Continent, as far as Kamtschatka; but is not enumerated 
amongst the American birds by WItson, or any other trans- 
atlantic ornithologist, although TEmmincx (in his Manuel) 
states it to belong to the northern part of that Continent.— 
Its habits are very similar to those of the Teal, and its food 
consists of insects and larvee, seeds of water-plants, &c. which 
it obtains by sifting the mud with its bill,—a mode of feed- 
ing common to this and the preceding genera. When in 
confinement, it has been observed to moisten such food as 
grain, before swallowing it.—It breeds amongst the rank 
herbage by the sides of lakes and pools; and its eggs are 
reported as of a cream-white, with indistinct’ spots of a 
deeper shade; which latter circumstance may be a matter of 
doubt, as not being peculiar to the present family. Its usual 
cry is a low hoarse croak. . 
Prate 53. Represents the Male and Female of the natural 
size. 
Crown of the head, occiput, and list down the back part 
of the neck, dark umber-brown. Chin black. Band 
over the eye, and which is extended down the neck, pure 
white. Cheeks and upper part of the neck chestnut- 
brown, finely rayed with white. Lower part of the neck 
and breast pale buff, beautifully varied with spots and 
semicircular bars of black. Back hair-brown, glossed 
with green, and the feathers margined paler. Scapulars 
long and acuminate, black, with a central streak of white. 
Wing-coverts pale French grey. Speculum glossy leek- 
green. Belly white. Flanks rayed with black. Vent, 
2 
