THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 83 
The Widgeon is by no means uncommon, but is, I think, 
rather erratic in its wanderings, being much more common in 
some years than others. During the cold weather of 1878-79, 
when the jhils were much below their average size and many were 
altogether dry, I did not expect to find it, but, as a matter of 
fact, it was much more common than I had ever known it to be 
before. 
The result of my experience is, in short, that the Widgeon 
is fairly abundant in the Division in some years, and exceed- 
ingly scarce in others. 
964 —Querquedula crecca, Lin. Native names— 
Putari and Souchuruka. 
Measurement of jive Males.—Length, 15°30 ; expanse, 24:75 ; 
wing, 7°76 ; tail, 3:34; tarsus, 1:10; bill, from gape, 1:73; 
weight, 12°40 oz. 
The Common Teal arrives in myriads in October and leaves 
again by the end of March or beginning of April, though 
stragglers may be met with to the end of the latter month. 
I have seen flocks of Teal flying about in August, but never 
having succeeded in then obtaining specimens, I am uncertain 
whether it is this species or the next that arrives so early. I 
think the latter, but probably both come in about the same time. 
The Common Teal is fond of weedy shallow lakes and large 
or small swamps, with often but little more than a foot or two 
of water in them; but as these feeding grounds soon dry up, 
necessity obliges it to resort to the larger jhils, around the 
reedy edges of which, often on the mud, sportsmen may 
slaughter it as they please in the early morning, and continue 
to do so throughout the day if they care to pick up the 
stragelers that ever and anon re-visit the shore. 
-965.—Querquedula circia, Zin. Native names— 
Khira and Putari. 
Average of four Males.—Length, 14°93; expanse, 26°47; 
wing, 8°; tail, 3°52 ; tarsus, 1°15 ; bill, from gape, 1:85; weight, 
12 oz. . 
The Blue-winged Teal is quite as abundant as the last species, 
arriving in countless numbers in September and October, though 
it isnot until the latter month that they seem to settle down 
on the jhils. The majority, however, do not remain long, and 
early in November appear to “ go down south.” From then until 
they return again in February, they are not so common as 
Q. crecca, though still far from being scarce. They are shy 
and wild on arrival, keeping well to the centre of jhils ; but as 
the season advances, they become more civilized, and may 
