THE GREEN-WINGED TEAL 603 



The common Mallard, or Wild Duck, now comes before our notice. 



This is by no means one of the least handsome of its tribe, the rich glossy green of the 

 head and neck, the snowy-white collar, and the velvet black of the odd little curly feathers of 

 the tail, giving it a- bold and striking appearance, which, but for its familiarity, would receive 

 greater admiration than it at present obtains. It is the stock from which descended our well- 

 known domestic Duck, to which we are so much indebted for its liesh and its eggs. 



The Mallard {Anas boschas). This familiar bird is nearly cosmopolitan, and nearly 

 everywhere domesticated. It is wild through the whole of North America, breeding sparingly 

 throughout the United States, as well as farther north. It is very rare in New England. In 

 the Missouri region it is very abundant. During the fall migration, Mallards are very con- 

 spicuous among other birds. The female is distinguished by being smaller than the male, and 

 in having the several ornamental portions less brilliant. In North Carolina this species is 

 abundant, and in the habit of visiting the rice fields to feed. 



Black Mallard {Anas obscura). This is known along the coast as Black Duck, and 

 elsewhere as Dusky, from its uniformly darker plumage. It is the most numerous and most 

 common of its tribe, on our coast. It is only partially migratory. Many remain during the 

 summer and breed in sequestered places in marshes, or on the sea-island beaches. Vast num- 

 bers, however, migrate northward on the approach of spring. Like the Mallard, it rarely dives 

 for food, feeding on the Hats, but it swims and flies with great velocity. This Duck is two 

 feet in length, and three feet two inches in extent of wing. There is little difference between 

 the sexes ; the male is rather larger, and the plumage somewhat brighter. 



A species, called Florida Dusky Duck, is found in the Gulf States. 



The pretty little Teal is the smallest and one of the most valuable of the European 

 Ducks, its flesh being peculiarly delicate and its numbers plentiful. 



It arrives on the northern shores about September, coming over in large flocks, and 

 remains there until the commencement of its breeding sea-son. Some few birds, however, 

 remain in northern countries throughout the year. Like other Ducks, it is found on lakes, 

 ponds, and in marshy places, choosing the last-mentioned localities for its home. The nest of 

 the Teal is made of a large heap of leaves, grasses, and sedges, lined with down and feathers. 

 The number of eggs is about eight or ten, and their color is buffy- white. The Teal is caught 

 in decoys together with the mallard and other Ducks. 



Blue-winged Teal {Querquedula discors). This beautiful little Duck inhabits North 

 America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific coast in Alaska ; and in the 

 West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America to Equador. It is a straggler in Europe. 

 In the Missouri region it is abundant during the migrations, and probably breeds there. It is 

 the first of its tribe that returns to us in the autumn from its breeding-places in the north. In 

 September it is abundant along the shores of Delaware, where it sits on the mud-flats, in num- 

 bers so great, that the. gunners often kill many at a shot. It flies rapidly, and when it 

 alights, drops down suddenly like the snipe or woodcock. Its flesh is esteemed highly, being 

 greatly improved after feeding some time among the reeds, when it becomes very fat. It 

 measures fourteen inches in length, and twenty-two in extent of wing. 



Cinnamon Teal {Querquedula eyano r ptera). This Teal inhabits South America, and 

 in North America from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, northward to the Columbia 

 River. It is also found in Louisiana. It is called Red-breasted Teal in some quarters, and 

 differs little from the other species in habits. 



The Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinensis) inhabits the whole of North America, 

 Mexico and Cuba, and breeds from the northern border of the United States northward. It 

 appears in the Missouri region.in August, in vast numbers, covering the pools and water-courses. 



