• Plate LXII. 



Fig. 7. QUERQUEDULA DISOORS-Blue-winged Teal. 



This beautiful little Duck is a very common migrant, and in the northern part of the State is a not 

 infrequent summer resident. It arrives in Central Ohio about the first of April, and often remains until 

 late in May. In the fall it leads the great army of Ducks on their way south, arriving about the first 

 of September. It builds in June, and rears but one brood during the season. 



LOCALITY: 



It is probable that in the early settlement of Ohio this Teal bred in suitable localities throughout 

 the State; but civilization has forced it to the north until its only breeding grounds, so far as I can learn, 

 are in the uninhabitable marshes of the lake counties, and even here its numbers are very limited. Mr. 

 J. B. Porter, of Grlendale, Ohio, in June, 1880, found it breeding in the Ottawa county marshes. 



POSITION : 



The nest is located either in the marsh or about its edge, and is concealed by the surrounding 

 vegetation. I have never found this nest, nor can I find an accurate account of it. The above brief 

 statement must therefore suffice. 



MATERIALS: 



Grass, weeds, and feathers from the builder compose the materials of the nest. 



EGGS: 



The number of eggs in a set varies from six to ten. The shell is quite smooth, but not glossy, and 

 is a rich cream color or light buff. Occasionally there are cloudy patches of neutral tint at various parts 

 of the shell. They measure in long-diameter from 1.76 to 1.90, and in short-diameter from 1.28 to 1.34. 

 A common size is about 1.30x1.85. C. J. Maynard gives their dimensions as between 1.30 and 1.35 in 

 short-diameter, and between 1.90 and 1.95 in long-diameter. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 

 See Mallard Duck. 



REMARKS: 



The three eggs illustrated, Fig. 1, Plate LXII, were selected from a set of eight eggs taken in 

 Dakota in 1883. They show the various shapes and tints of the complement. Although unfamiliar with 

 the nesting habits of the Blue-winged Teal, I am well acquainted with it as a game bird, and several 

 times have thought I was about to find it breeding near Circle ville. I have known the birds to mate 



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