DUCKS. 63 



As the American Green-winged Teal (Anas caroli- 

 nensis, Gmelin) is believed to have occurred in this 

 country, it may be well to remark that it differs 

 from the European bird in wanting the white streak 

 which extends from the bill over the eye in the latter ; 

 and the white line below the eye is also nearly absent, 

 being very indistinctly marked. It is also without the 

 cream-coloured band on the scapulars, while across 

 the shoulder there is a distinct transverse bar of white, 

 no trace of which is to be found in the European bird. 

 Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., informs me that two instances 

 are known to him of the occurrence of the American 

 Blue-winged Teal (A. discors, Linnaeus) in England ; 

 and Mr. E. Gray has recorded the capture of one in 

 Scotland*; but as so many foreign wild fowl are 

 annually imported for our parks and ornamental 

 waters, it is almost impossible to say whether the 

 solitary examples found at large from time to time 

 are truly wild or escaped birds. 



GAEQAiraiT. Querquedula circia (Linnaeus). 



A spring and autumn migrant, occasionally remain- 

 ing to breed. The nest is reported to have been 

 found in Norfolk, Cambridge, and Huntingdon. It 

 is of rare occurrence in Scotland ; and but very few 

 examples have been met with in Ireland. 



POCHAED. Fuligula ferina (Linnaeus). 



A winter visitant, occasionally remaining to breed. 

 * Birds of the West of Scotland, p. 373. 



