AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL 
237 
the Green-wing is far less a resident species than is the Common Teal in certain 
parts of Europe. It is essentially a fresh-water species, but on both the Pacific and 
the Atlantic coasts it has been known to raft on the salt water in order to escape 
danger, and occasionally it even feeds on tidal or brackish fiats (W. L. Dawson and 
Bowles, 1909), During migration it often resorts to salt-marshes. 
Wariness. Though wilder than the Blue-winged Teal, this species is tamer 
than any of the other northern shoal-water ducks. In thick cover it is just as likely 
to attempt concealment as to fly up. These habits were well described by L. M. Tur- 
ner (1886) who observed them near St. Michael’s, Alaska, where they would even 
dive under a mass of vegetation in preference to flushing. Single individuals or small 
lots as they appear in New England ponds, always come to live decoys without the 
least suspicion and I have even seen them refuse to fly more than a few yards after 
a shot had been fired. This habit of returning to a favorite feeding ground even after 
a raking shot, is particularly characteristic of the species and has been noted by 
many writers. When spring shooting was allowed it was common to see one of a 
pair return after its mate had been killed. 
Daily Movements. This Teal is extremely inactive during the daytime and 
through the noonday hours loves to sleep on mud-banks, in shallow water or even 
on logs. Elliot (1898) says he has seen large flocks floating down the Mississippi 
with the current, quite indifferent as to where it would take them. At night they 
become very active, as any one can testify who has heard the constant whistling of 
the males and chattering of the females on moonlight nights. 
Gait, Swimming, Diving. The male cannot be distinguished from the Euro- 
pean Teal when on the water, unless the white breast-bar can be seen. The promi- 
nent white scapulars of the European bird are diagnostic when present, but they are 
among the last of the feathers to reach full maturity. In posture and movements on 
the water and on land, our Teal differs in no way from its Old World relative. 
I have seen this species as well as the Blue-wing on the Gulf Coast perching 
quite commonly on low dead trees or branches projecting from the water; and Mr. 
Francis Harper, who has been collecting recently on the Athabasca, writes me that 
he foimd them very often sitting on logs by the side of streams in summer. 
Flight, The small size and erratic flight of this Teal have given rise to most 
astonishing estimates as to its speed, one writer (Hatch, 1892) even giving it 
credit for a rate of 160 miles per hour ! It is more likely as has been said in connection 
with the preceding species, that the speed is rarely more than fifty miles per hour. 
Outside the regular migration route, the Green-wing is often seen here in New 
