Species XI. ANAS DISCORS. 



BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 



[Plate LXVIII. Fig. 4, Male.] 



La Sarcelle d'Amerique, Briss. vi., p. 452, 35. — Buff, ix., p. 279. — PI. Enl. 966. — 

 Catese. I., pi. 100. — White-faced Duck, Lath. Syn. iii., p. 502. — Arct. Zool. No. 

 503.* 



The Blue-winged Teal is the first of its tj-ibe that returns to us in the 

 autumn from its breeding place in the north. They are usually seen 

 early in September, along the shores of the Delaware, where they sit 

 on the mud close to the edge of the water, so crowded together that the 

 gunners often kill great numbers at a single discharge. When a flock 

 is discovered thus sitting and sunning themselves, the experienced gun- 

 ner runs his batteau ashore at some distance below or above them, and 

 getting out, pushes her before him over the slippery mud, concealing 

 himself all the while behind her; by this method he can sometimes 

 approach within twenty yards of the flock, among which he generally 

 makes great slaughter. They fly rapidly, and when they alight drop 

 down suddenly like the Snipe or Woodcock, among the reeds or on the 

 mud. They feed chiefly on vegetable food, and are eagerly fond of the 

 seeds of the reeds or wild oats. Their flesh is excellent ; and after their 

 residence for a short time among the reeds, becomes very fat. As the 

 first frosts come on, they proceed to the south, being a delicate bird, 

 very susceptible of cold. They abound in the inundated rice fields in 

 the Southern States, where vast numbers are taken in traps placed on 

 small dry eminences that here and there rise above the water. These 

 places are strewed with rice, and by the common contrivance called a 

 figure four, they are caught alive in hollow traps. In the month of 

 April they pass through Pennsylvania for the north ; but make little 

 stay at that season. I have observed them numerous on the Hudson 

 opposite to the Catskill Mountains. They rarely visit the seashore. 



This species measures about fourteen inches in length, and twenty- 

 two inches in extent ; the bill is long in proportion, and of a dark dusky 

 slate ; the front and upper part of the head are black, from the eye to 

 the chin is a large crescent of white, the rest of the head and half of 



* Anas discors, Gmel. Syst. p. 535, No. 3,7. — Lath. Ind. Orn. p. 854, No. 55. — 

 Blue-winged Teal, Catesb. pi. 99, female. — La Sarcelle de Yirginie, Bkiss. vi., p. 

 455, No. 36. — La Sarcelle Soucrourou, Buff, ix., p. 279. — PI. Enl. 403, female. 



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