THE SHOVELLER DUCK 183 
On the 18th of January 1903, 171 were counted ; 
on the 6th of March 1905, 448. Since then it is 
estimated that over 500 Shovellers take up their 
winter quarters with us.” 
THE TEAL 
Querquedula crecca 
Arabic, Sharshare 
Head and neck chestnut-brown; a patch of green encircles 
the eyes and cheeks, a light buff streak divides the green from 
the brown ; neck, back, and flanks grey, composed of delicate 
alternate black and white wavy lines. Scapulars white with 
rich black on their outer webs; green metallic bar on wing ; 
under-parts white; breast spotted with buffish-black ; under- 
tail coverts a clear, brilliant yellow-buff; beak and legs black; 
eyes brown. The female looks smaller than the male, and 
is a sober-coloured brown bird, with darker, almost black, 
markings. Length, 15:5 inches. 
As far as my own experience goes, I have never 
seen any really large flock of duck, of whatever 
kind, but there have been Teal among them. I 
do not care to say that I think this is the very 
commonest of all the duck tribe. It is certainly 
met with very frequently, but Captain Shelley 
holds that it is absolutely “the most abundant 
species of water-fowl throughout Egypt,” and 
