143 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



from its dark plumage relieved by white in front. 

 Compared with Dendrocygna fulva it is a rare species, 

 and goes always with its mate, but I have seen as 

 many as half a dozen together. When taking wing 

 it also whistles, but differently from the allied species, 

 having three long clear whistling notes, not unlike 

 the three-syllabled cry of the Sandpiper, only the 

 notes are more prolonged. Of its breeding habits 

 I know nothing. 



BLUE-WINGED TEAL 

 Querqmdttla eyanoptera 



Plumage red; crown black; lesser wing-coverts blue; wing 

 speculum green, margined above with white ; wing feathers black ; 

 hih black, eyes golden, feet orange ; length i8 ; wing 7.6 inches. 

 Female : blackish above, feathers mai^ined with whitish ; beneath 

 dull white variegated with brown ; throat white with black freckles. 



This Teal has an exceedingly wide distribution in 

 America, being found from California in the northern 

 continent down to the Straits of Magellan and the 

 Falkland Islands in the south. Its i&ne, strongly 

 contrasted colours give it a very handsome appear- 

 ance — ^the wings being clear grey-blue, the body deep 

 maroon-red, the feet vivid yellow, beak black, and 

 iris gold-colour. On the pampas it is common, and 

 almost invariably seen in pairs at all seasons. Many 

 of the Teals are quarrelsome in disposition ; but 



