64 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



a great variation in the normal coloration of the plumage, aside from 

 age or sex, but as Dr. Coues says : " The bird can not be mistaken 

 under any condition ; the extensive white of the under parts and wings 

 is recognizable at gun-range." The nest of this species is made on the 

 ground in marshes, composed of grass and weeds, neatly arranged and 

 nicely hollowed ; it is usually lined with the down and feathers from 

 the breast of the bird. 



The eggs are pale buff, eight to twelve in number, measuring 2.00 

 by 1.50, with slight variations. 



[138.] Anas crecca. Linn. [611.] 



European Teal. 



Hab. Northern part of the Old World. Casual in Eastern North America and the Aleutian Islands. 



This duck, which resembles very closely our American Green- 

 winged Teal, is of irregular occurrence in Eastern North America. In 

 the northern portions of Europe it is very common, especially through- 

 out Norway and Sweden. Breeds in abundance all over Lapland and 

 in Northern Russia. 



Mr. Mathew Clugston informs me that this duck is quite common 

 in Scotland, where it nests in the grassy herbage about the edges of 

 lochs. A few breed in various places in Great Britian — as far south as 

 Suffolk, England, and also in Wales. It is known to breed on some of 

 the islands on the west coast of Spain and those on the northwestern 

 coast of Africa. 



The nest is formed of grasses and reeds, warmly lined with 



feathers. In some places this duck's favorite breeding resorts are the 



bogs and marshes in grassy fields. The eggs are commonly eight to 



ten in number; and sometimes as many as fifteen are laid. They are 



yellowish-white, oval in shape, and measure 1.75 in length by 1.30 in 



breadth. 



139. Anas carolinensis Gmelin. [612.] 



Oreeu-winged Teal. 



Hab. North America, migrating south to Honduras and Cuba. 



This handsome little Duck is exceedingly abundant throughout 

 North America. It breeds from the northern borders of the United 

 States northward to Greenland and Alaska. During the spring and fall 

 migrations it is one of the most abundant of water-fowl, frequenting 

 the small brooks and ponds as well as the larger waters. It may be 

 recognized by its small size ; the primaries of the wing-covets are of 

 leaden-gray; speculum velvety purplish-black on the outer half, the 

 inner half rich green ; bordered in front with chestnut, fawn or whitish 

 tips of the greater coverts, behind by white tips of the secondaries, in- 

 teriorly with purplish-black stripes on the outer webs of the length- 



