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ANAS FORMOSA 
describes one from the same region that was on a “niggerhead” in an open swamp, 
one hundred yards from a pond. 
So few nests have been listed that it is impossible to give the average number of 
eggs for a full clutch. It seems, however, to be rather less than for either the Com- 
mon Teal or the Mallard; it is perhaps eight, the maximum ten (Pallas, 1831). The 
eggs are like those of the Common Teal, but somewhat larger than the Garganey’s; 
in color they are pale grayish green and very similar to the IVIallard’s (Taczanowski, 
1893). The average size of twenty-two eggs is 48.67 by 34.48 mm., the maximum 
length 52.5 mm., and the maximum breadth 36 mm., the minimum being 45 and 
32.5 mm., respectively. The period of incubation is unknown. During this period 
the males evidently flock together and change their location as soon as incubation 
is well started. Von Bunge (1883) writing of the mouth of the Lena says the males ap- 
peared there and became common after June 18. The females, which were occa- 
sionally found, seemed to be non-breeding birds, as the region is W'ell north of the 
actual breeding range. A northward excursion beyond the breeding range is prob- 
ably a common phenomenon with many ducks, and one has to use great caution 
in constructing an accurate map of the breeding area on this account. 
Status. This is a very abundant species throughout northeastern Siberia. 
There it seems to equal, if not to exceed in numbers, the commoner shoal-water 
ducks. At the mouth of the Kolyma it is the commonest breeding surface-feeding 
duck (Thayer and Bangs, 1914). It is more common than the Mallard or Common 
Teal in the Amur region (von Schrenck, 1859) and in the Ussuri country it was 
third in number among the ducks (Ddrries, 1888). On its wintering grounds in the 
Yangtse basin, Styan (1891) says comparatively few are shot considering the great 
numbers of them, but in the Ningpo Market, R. Swinhoe (1873) found them about 
as common as the Mallard, Spot-bill, Teal, Shoveller, Pintail, Widgeon and Falcated 
Teal. 
Enemies. Nothing recorded. 
Damage. Nothing recorded. 
Food Value. This Teal is said by H. A. Walton (1903) to be good eating. 
Hunt. These birds were imported into European markets from China (Ghidini, 
1911) but only in small quantities. They are probably trapped with ease by the 
Chinese, considering the numbers that have been imported alive into this country, 
into Europe and even into Australia. 
