66 BIRDS 



the larger number occur only during the migrations, indi- 

 viduals may be found at all times of the j-ear under favor- 

 able circumstances of locality and weather. The bulk of 

 the species, says Ridgway, winters in the Gulf States and 

 southward, while the breeding range is difficult to make 

 out, owing to the fact that it is not gregarious during the 

 nesting season, but occurs scatteringly in isolated localities 

 where it is most likely to escape observation. 



The flight of this duck, according to "Water Birds of 

 North America," is fully as swift as that of the passenger 

 pigeon. 



The nests are generally well lined with down, and when 

 the female leaves the nest she always covers her eggs with 

 down and draws the grass, of which the outside of the 

 nest is composed, over the top. Professor Kumlein does 

 not think that she ever lays more than twelve eggs. These 

 are of a clear ivory white. They range from 1.89 to 1.95 

 inches in length and 1.25 to 1.35 in breadth. 



The male whistles and the female " quacks." 



The food of the blue-wing is chiefly vegetable matter, 

 and its flesh is tender and excellent. It may be known by 

 its small size, blue wings, and narrow bill. 



The hind toe of this family of ducks is without a flap 

 or lobe, and the front of the foot is furnished with trans- 

 verse scales. 



CINNAMON TEAL 



Cinnamon Teals range more southerly and westerly 

 than our other teal. The flight of the cinnamon teal is 

 probably more rapid than that of other waterfowl except 



