372 ANAS QUERQUEDULA 
in 1663 (Loisel, 1912) and also has a place in the earliest lists of animals kept by the 
London Gardens (P. L. Sclater, 1880). Although by no means a free breeder in 
captivity (it bred only twice in the London Gardens previous to 1880), it has nested 
in the ponds of Mr. Wormald {in litt.), of Earl Grey {in litt.), and of Mr. St. Quintin 
(1909). It has been one of the favorites with aviculturalists and easily obtainable in 
the bird markets for from 25 to 30 shillings the pair, while hand-reared stock brings 
a somewhat higher figure. It is a fairly hardy bird, and long-lived. Forty-three speci- 
mens kept in the London Gardens lived three years and nine months on the average, 
the maximum being thirteen years and eight months (P. C. Mitchell, 1911). Mr. 
Wormald’s earliest date for laying in Norfolk, England, was May 8. 
Mr. St. Quintin (1909) tells of an interesting experience he had in breeding these 
ducks. From a wild nest he took eight eggs and reared six young from them. A 
female Garganey which he had had for some time was provided with a mate in the 
spring of 1908. On May 19 the male was driven off by a wild drake of the same 
species which suddenly appeared and paired with the pinioned female. This 
alliance resulted in a nest from which four young were hand-reared. By June 12 the 
pinioned duck was again sitting, and the wild mate had disappeared. This wild male 
was apparently the father of both broods. The observer noted that the wild drake 
was beginning to go into eclipse on May 27, which is an exceedingly early date for 
any duck, and for this species must be exceptional. 
Garganeys were very commonly imported into this country before the Great War 
and about one hundred were again brought in in 1919-20. The old prices varied 
from $12.00 to $15.00 the pair, but at present I suppose the price must be almost 
double what it was. Mr. Cook of Long Island (New York) seems to be the only one 
to have bred the species in this country. The only ones which I ever kept, a pair or 
two at the most, did not breed, as they were kept with other and larger ducks. All 
Teal should of course be separated in enclosures by themselves, and hand-reared 
stock should be purchased when obtainable. 
Hybrids. Crosses between the Garganey and other species are not uncommon. 
Poll (1911) lists crosses with the following species, all apparently killed in the wild: 
European Widgeon, Common Teal, Pintail, Common Pochard and Tufted Duck 
{Nyroca fuligula). In confinement the Garganey has been crossed with the Com- 
mon Teal, Shoveller {Spatula) and Carolina Duck {Lampronessa) (Poll, 1911; Wor- 
mald, 1914). 
