70 A NATURALIST IN THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS. 



87. QUERQUEDULA CAROLTNENSIS, Gm. 

 (Green-winged Teal.) 



Very abundant. While shooting over the Three Pond 

 Marshes I witnessed the curious actions of a wounded bird 

 of this species, called " towering," by sportsmen, I believe. 



While passing through a small bit of marsh bordering one 

 of the ponds, a pair of Teal started up in front of me. The 

 first dropped dead, and the other, upon receiving the con- 

 tents of the second barrel, rose straight up into the air, 

 higher and higher, turning round and round like a top, 

 the wings keeping up a spasmodic kind of motion, until at 

 an immense height it suddenly ceased all movement, and 

 turning over and over in its descent, struck the water a dead 

 weight, and when I reached the spot was stone dead. 



Possibly breeds. 



88. QUERQUEDULA DISCORS, (Z.) StepJi. 

 (Blue-winged Teal.) 



Common, but not so plentiful as the last species. 

 Breeds. 



