208 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



are found chiefly in reedy ponds where they are quite unsuspicious 

 They seem everywhere abundant east of the Rocky Mountains, 

 and are replaced west of that great barrier by the Cinnamon or 

 Red-breasted Teal, Q. cyanoptera. 



The three species of the genus Querquedula, found in this 

 country, are exceedingly alike in habits and general characteristics. 

 They are usually, where not troubled by the gum :r, an unsuspicious 

 bird, easily domesticated. The Blue and Green-winged varieties 

 are often found feeding in company, but th B i e-wing takes its de- 

 parture for the South considerably in advance of its more hardy 

 relative. We should like to see the experimept tried of interbreed- 

 ing, in captivity, the Green-winged Teal and Wood Duck. The 

 Blue-winged Teal is said by epicures to be the superior, but as their 

 food is the same, we fail to see how any difference can be detected. 

 In flight they are swift and graceful, skimming low over the 

 water, and, as they fly in closely packed masses, a number may be 

 dropped at a single shot, but the cripples are very skilful in con- 

 cealing themselves and may escape by sinking their bodies low in 

 the water and paddling rapidly away among the dense weeds and 

 brakes. Number six or eight shot is a convenient size for Teal 

 shooting. They stool readily, and their note, which is a feeble imi- 

 tation of the Mallard's, will immediately call them down. 



Querguedulet cyanoptera. — Cassia. Cinnamon Teal. Red-breasted Teal. 



Head, neck and underparts rich purplish chestnut, darkening 

 on crown and black on belly, rather larger than, but otherwise 

 similar to discors. 



This bird as already noted, seems to fill the same ofiice west of 

 the Rocky Mountains, that the green and blue-winged varieties 

 occupy on the eastern half of the continent. The habits of the 

 Cinnamon Teal and the methods to be employed in its pursuit are 

 identical with those already mentioned. For an interesting account 

 of this species, see Coues' " Birds of the North-west," p. 568. 



spatula clypeata. — Boie. Shoveller. Spoon-bill. 



General coloring as follows : head and neck green, forebreast 

 white, belly pnrplish-chestnut, wing coverts blue, speculum green, 

 bordered with white and black, some scapulars blue, others green 



