BRAZILIAN TEAL 
297 
1884; Aplin, 1894; Tremoleras, 1920). South of the La Plata, the Province of Buenos Aires is about 
the southern limit of its range. It has been recorded for this region by P. L. Sclater (1869a), Durn- 
ford (1878) and Hartert and Venturi (1909). E. Gibson (1920) states that at Cape San Antonio it 
occurs only in flood years, and is therefore called “Patite de creciente.” In all his long experience in 
that region he only once found the species breeding. This Teal is said to occur in Patagonia (C. V, 
Burmeister, 1888) but this must be exceptional, and the statement does not seem to be based on 
clear evidence. If the specimens taken by Darwin (Gould, 1841) in the Straits of Magellan, and 
described as Querquedula erythrorhyncha, really belong to this species the record is certainly remark- 
able, and must be regarded as extra-limital. 
GENERAL HABITS 
Haunts. This so-called “Teal” as a matter of fact has no close relationship to 
any of the smaller ducks, not even to the Ring-necked Teal (Anas leucophrys) . In 
its general appearance, and particularly in the rounded form of the wing, it is 
entirely un-Mallardlike, if I may use that term. 
Throughout nearly the whole of its range it is confined to regions of tropical 
forests, where it frequents wood-enclosed waters, and often perches on the trees. 
Near Cape San Antonio, Argentina, where it is only a rare visitor and breeder, E. 
Gibson (1920) noticed that it was always found on waters in the vicinity of woods, 
and was partial to a pond in a wood, or even to a garden pond. In Guiana they are 
said to come to the coastal districts during seasons of drought, but as a general rule 
they do not show any preference for coastal or mangrove regions (E. P. and A. P. 
Penard, 1908-10). 
Wariness. Naturalists and travelers have always found this a tame bird, and 
one almost oblivious to the presence of man. Mr. R. Gordon Harris writes me that 
in the interior of Minas Geraes, Brazil, where he was collecting insects in 1919, this 
Teal was not nearly so wary as the Muscovy, and that it would leave the lakes only 
on extreme provocation. E. Gibson (1920) writing of the few pairs which occasion- 
ally visit his estancia, speaks of them as “surprisingly tame.” He frequently passed 
by them within ten yards, while they were sitting on a pond, or perched on a tree or 
the “ shears of a cattle well.” When on the wing they show^ed even less regard for the 
shooter than did the Yellow-billed Teal (Anas fiavirostris). 
Daily Movements. No information. 
Gait, Swimming, Diving, Perching. It would be interesting to know in what 
manner this bird feeds, whether it merely tips up like the Mallard, or whether it 
actually dives at times. In his letter to me, Mr. Harris speaks of their “swimming 
and diving about” in the water. 
The bird is a free percher not only in the breeding season but at other times of the 
year too (P. L. Sclater and Hudson, 1889; E. Gibson, 1920). 
