BLUE-WINGED TEAL 
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setts as early as August 11. The average date in Virginia is August 31 ; in Kansas September 12; and 
in Mississippi September 16. As far south as Bear River, Utah, the great bulk leave before Septem- 
ber 25 (U.S. Biological Survey). The last have left Montreal by September 25, and Prince Edward 
Island, Gulf of St. Lawrence, by October 8. The last are seen in the north-central States by the 
middle of October, and in the central States by early November. A record for Rutland, Vermont, 
on November 6, 1917, is very exceptional (U.S. Biological Survey) as well as one from Long Island, 
New York, on December 11. The autumn flight of these Teal through eastern Massachusetts is a 
very regular affair and the bulk pass in two or three days between the 5th and the 15th of Septem- 
ber, although there are late July records. The first regular migrants arrive the last week in August 
and the great mass averages about September 8 to 10 for its passage. Nothing like this is seen m 
spring, only scattered records. 
It is noteworthy that not only in the Bermudas but also in the New England and the eastern 
States in general, the present species is common in autumn though rarely seen in spring. It is more 
than probable that a certain body of these Teal follow a general northwest to southeast direction in 
autumn, while iu spring their route follows the Mississippi, Missouri and their tributaries, and passes 
mostly to the west of the Appalachians. This phenomenon was noted by J. E. Cabot as far back as 
1847. 
The following returns of banded birds are of interest. Out of nine Blue-vdngs banded at Lake 
Scugog, Ontario, by Mr. H. S. Osier in September, 1920, there was only one recovery up to March, 
1921, that of a bird taken December 9, 1920, at Port of Spain, Trinidad, and reported by the Ameri- 
can Consul through the State Department. Four Blue- wings banded at the same point in September. 
1921, were taken the following autumn on Long Island, New York, southern Minnesota, northern 
Kansas, and in South Dakota, suggesting a western origin of some of the Lake Scugog individuals. 
A large group banded at Avery Island, Louisiana, in winter, besides supplying many local returns, 
shows some from distant points, namely, Kansas, southern Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota, 
the following autumn. The next few years will of course greatly extend our knowledge of the exact 
ground covered by individuals. 
GENERAL HABITS 
The Blue-winged Teal is correctly placed by systematists next to the Garganey 
and Cinnamon Teals, and close to the Shoveller Ducks. It has even been suggested 
that it be placed in the same genus with the Shovellers, but this would certainly be 
going a step too far. Nevertheless, in time of migration, in nesting habits, and even 
in its manner of feeding, it has many points in common with those curious ducks. 
So familiar is this Teal to all American sportsmen that any long account of its 
life-history would be superfluous. During migration it may be looked for in almost 
any place where there is water. On our New England coast they do not avoid the 
salt-marshes, and used to be killed in large numbers in small salt-ponds where the 
shore-bird gunner commonly placed his decoys. They are also seen on small reedy 
lakes, the marshes of our sluggish rivers, and, as William Brewster (1906) remarked, 
they may be found in wet seasons on rain-pools in upland fields, pastures and even 
apple orchards. On the western prairies they are fond of the smallest sloughs and 
ditches and seem altogether more partial to small, shallow puddles than to larger 
open waters. Throughout the elevated portions of New England this has probably 
always been a rare bird. The same is true of the Appalachian plateau. Yet in far 
