GREEN- WINGED TEAL. 221 



and I would readily agree with any epicure in saying, that when it has 

 fed on wild oats at Green Bay, or on soaked rice in the fields of Georgia 

 and the Carolinas, for a few weeks after its arrival in those countries, it 

 is much superior to the Canvass-back in tenderness, juiciness, and flavour. 

 Indeed, the Green-wing is as 'much superior to the Canvass-back, as the 

 European Quail is to the Capercailie, or the Sora of the Delaware to the 

 Scolopaceous Curlew of the Florida Ever Glades. 



On land, the Green-wing moves with more ease and grace than any 

 other species with which I am acquainted, excepting our beautiful Wood 

 Duck. It can run at a good rate, without entangling its webbed feet, aS 

 many others do ; and in this, too, there is a marked difference between 

 fresh- water and salt-water Ducks, as one may very readily perceive. On 

 the water, also, it moves with great ease, at times with considerable ra- 

 pidity, and when not severely wounded, is able to dive in a very credit- 

 able manner. On wing it has no rivals among Ducks. Our two smaller 

 Mergansers, however, are swifter, although they exhibit none of the 

 graceful movements every now and then shewn by the Green-wings, when 

 coursing in the air over and around a pond, a river, or a large wet sa- 

 vannah. They rise from the water at a single spring, and so swiftly too, 

 that none but an expert marksman need attempt to shoot them, if when 

 starting they are many yards distant. While feeding, they proceed in 

 ■a, close body along the shores, or wherever the water is so shallow that 

 they can reach the bottom with ease. In savannahs or watery fields 

 intersected by dry ridges, they remove from one pool to another on 

 foot, unless the distance is considerable ; and in effecting the transit, they 

 run so huddled together, as to enable a gunner to make great havock 

 among them. When the cravings of hunger are satisfied, they retire to 

 some clean part of the shore, or a sandbar, where they rest in perfect har- 

 mony, each individual composing its dress, and afterwards, with wings 

 slightly drooping, placing its breast to the sun. There they remain for 

 an hour or more at a time, some sound asleep, some dosing, but rarely 

 without a trusty sentinel watching over their safety. In this manner they 

 spend the winter months in the Southern and Western Countries. There, 

 indeed, they are far more abundant than in our eastern districts, just be- 

 cause the climate is milder, the human population more dispersed, and 

 I the damp fields, meadows, and savannahs more abundant. 

 The migrations of this species are performed more over the land than 

 along the borders of the sea ; and it is probable that its principal breed. 

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