BRAZILIAN TEAL 
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them myself, but a characteristic which has been often remarked by aviculturalists 
is their independent behavior, and their great courage in attacking birds like swans 
or Semipalmated Geese. Rogeron (1903) gives a long account of a jealous male that 
attacked a female Mallard whose husband was the object of attraction for the Bra- 
zilian’s mate. The Mallard Duck thoroughly trounced the plucky little Teal, and held 
him under water until he was very nearly drowned. Still, all through the breeding 
season, the pair of Brazilian Teal insisted on reserving part of the shelter house and 
part of the garden for their exclusive use. 
Hybrids. Crosses between this species and the Chestnut-breasted Teal {Anas 
castanea), the Ring-necked Teal {Anas leucophrys) and the Bahama Pintail {Anas 
hahamensis) , have been reared in confinement (Poll, 1911). The second of these, 
which was produced also by Earl Grey {in litt.), proved sterile (Poll, 1911), which 
is evidence that they are not very closely related. 
