536 



LMIELLIROSTEAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



nearly the whole throat being streaked, the breast deeply tinged with light brown, and the 

 abdomen almost always distinctly spotted. 



The Red-breasted Teal, so characteristic of Califoruia, is almost exclusively a 

 western species, and is found along the Pacific coast from Puget Sound to Chili, and 

 even, at certain seasons, to the Falkland Islands. It occurs eastward to the-Eocky 

 Motintaius, and stragglers have been taken in Louisiana, in Florida; and — as I am 

 assured by friends who have met with it there — in the inlets of North Carolina. 



Colonel G rayson met with it at Mazatlan, where it was rather common, but where 

 it occurred only during the winter and spring months, and never in large numbers. 



Female (nal. size). 



Mr. J. A. Allen mentions finding it in great abundance in the valley of Great Salt 

 Lake. Captain Abbott speaks of meeting with it at Jlare Harbor, in East Falkland, 

 where he obtained seven examples in one day. It was generally very wild, and far 

 from common. Although he was unable to find its nest, he had no doubt that it was 

 breeding on the island, he having noticed it in pairs during the summer months. 

 Mr. H. Durnford mentions it as resident, but rare, in Central Patagonia, where he 

 met with it at the mouth of the Sengel. 



According to Dr. Cooper, this western analogue of the Blue-wiuged Teal of the east 

 is common in winter throughout the lower portion of California, assembling in con- 

 siderable flocks, though everywhere less abundant than the Green-winged species. It 

 associates with that and other species on all the fresh waters, and has similar habits 

 in respect to its manner of flight and mode of feeding. It is also easily shot, and 

 very good for the table. In summer it is found in nearly all parts of the State, and 

 also migrates north through the open country east of the Cascade Mountains to the 

 Upper Columbia, it having been obtained by Dr. Suckley at Fort Dalles in j\Iay. Dr. 

 Cooper has also shot it in October near the Spokane River in "Washington Territory. 

 Dr. Heermann was of the opinion that this species leaves the central portions of 

 California in winter ; but examples were found there at that season by Dr. Kennerly, 

 and Dr. Cooper also saw it in small nmnbers near the Colorado, in latitude 35°. 



