148 THE BIEDS OF AUSTRALIA 



Nest either on the ground in long grass or under a thick 

 bush or in a hollow in a tree or in the deserted nest of a crow 

 or hawk; usually well lined with down and a little grass. The 

 clutch is from eight to thirteen, usually of a greenish-cream 

 colour, and they measure about 2.32 x 1.65 inch. 



This bird is by far the most common duck in Australia; it 

 can be crossed with the domesticated varieties. 



Genus Nettion. 

 Bill not very broad, compressed, shorter than head. 



Pro. Zoot. Society. 

 Chestnut-breasted Teal : Nettion castaneum. 



The Chestnut-breasted Teal. 



Nettion castaneum. 



Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 



Head and neck dark glossy green; mantle and back black, each 

 feather edged with chestnut; rump and tail-coverts glossy black; breast 

 and abdomen chestnut, with round black spots; scapulars and wings olive- 

 brown; wing-speculiun velvety black, with a metallic green band on the 

 upper half; bill bluish lead-colour. Total length about 18.5 inches, wing 

 9, tail 4.5, eulmen 1.5, tarsus 1.4. The female is brown, with greyish 

 edgings to the feathers, lower back almost uniform brown; lighter on 

 the underparts; speculum tipped with white band. 



