CAPE TEAL 
269 
GENERAL HABITS 
Haunts. This is one of the African ducks that has been least written about. Be- 
sides being everywhere an uncommon species, it has been often confused with the 
African Red-bill {Anas erythrorhyncha), from which it is distinguished with diffi- 
culty in the field. 
It seems to be a bird that frequents larger lakes rather than small water-holes or 
marshes. Neumann (1898) and also Littledale (1908) noted its partiality for salt- 
water lakes which other species were not so particular about. 
Wariness. From Littledale’s (1908) account one would conclude that this is a 
very confiding bird during the nesting season. He says, however, that it is sometimes 
very shy, excepting at dusk, when it becomes tame. 
Daily Movements. Littledale says that in the evening they sometimes flight, 
but this habit is, during the breeding season at least, of somewhat irregular occur- 
rence, not taking place every night. A pair which he observed spent the day in the 
middle of a large salt-pan. 
Swimming, Diving. Mouritz (1914) mentions a bird which submerged at his 
approach, instead of flying away ! 
Flight. Large flocks are apparently very rare, but Sjbstedt (1910) noted some 
flocks, both large and small, on the Natron Lakes (Kilimandjaro lowlands). 
In the held it can be told from the Red-billed Teal {A?ias erythrorhyncha) by the 
large amount of white showing in the wing. 
Association with other Species. Layard (1875-84) says he met it in com- 
pany of the Red-bill in Cape Colony. 
Voice. The only information regarding the note is that given by Littledale 
(1908) who says there are twm diflPerent calls: one a quack uttered wLen on the wdng, 
the other a “sort of short whistling note.” He does not distinguish the notes of the 
two sexes, but doubtless the whistle is the note of the male, the quack that of the 
female. 
Food. There is no adequate description of the food habits. In southern Abyssinia 
they were found feeding on small crustaceans (Neumann, 1904) and on grass or 
aquatic insects (Salvadori, 1884). 
Courtship and Nesting. In the northern part of its range the breeding season, 
so far as can be judged by the very scant information, is irregular, extending from 
June in the Masai region (full-grown young in July — Schillings, 1905) to March 
