GARGANEY TEAL 
367 
Gait, Swimming, Diving. These are strictly surface-feeders and they do not 
“tip” as much as Mallards. The flocks pack together more than most ducks, and 
this is true both when they are feeding and when they are on the wing (Baker, 1908). 
The same is characteristic also of our Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors). On the 
water the males are easily distinguished from other ducks, but the females can only 
be told from those of the Common Teal at close quarters if one can see the light- 
colored superciliary stripe, the white spot at the base of the bill, or the more im- 
maculate throat. The habit of swimming around in close circles, common also to 
the Shoveller, an action doubtless useful in stirring up water insects, is frequently 
seen with the Garganey. They dive only when wounded. 
Flight. The flight of the individual bird is almost noiseless, although large 
flocks cause a “surging hiss” or rushing sound, likened by Hume and Marshall 
(1879) to the hurtling sound of heavy round-shot. They rise from the water a little 
less perpendicularly than do Common Teal, and their flight is as rapid, though not 
quite so erratic or twisting as that of the latter. In western Europe, where they are 
by no means a plentiful species, they are seen in pairs or small flocks, but in the 
wintering areas such as the Mediterranean countries and India, large flocks are very 
common. Baker (1908) tells us that in northwestern India these flocks average 
perhaps one or two hundred, but in eastern India they seem to be somewhat smaller, 
running from about fifty to a hundred. Small flocks of from five to ten are rare there. 
A great flock, noted by Hume and Marshall (1879) on August 28, 1865, at Rahun, 
was estimated to contain 20,000 individuals; they say they never before nor after 
saw so huge a body of fowl of one kind. On migration the flocks of Garganeys fly 
high and assume the formation characteristic of other shoal-water ducks. 
Association with other Species. The Garganey is a gregarious and rather 
social bird, but perhaps less so than the Common Teal (Naumann, 1896-1905). 
They mingle freely with other Teal and sometimes with Mallard or even larger 
species of water-birds. There are, however, a few notes in the literature suggesting 
contrary tendencies. 
Voice. These are more silent birds than the Common Teal, resembling our own 
Blue-wings. The only time I ever heard the note was from a male in confinement in 
Washington, on May 5. This note, which is very hard to describe, is a low rattle 
or creak, consisting of four or five syllables and accompanied by a sudden raising of 
the head. Occasionally a single very low note was uttered, sounding like tick, and 
audible for only a few yards. These sounds of course were the notes of the male dur- 
ing display, and as a matter of fact it seems that the male’s voice is rarely heard except 
in the breeding season. This note has been variously described, and was aptly com- 
