138 li^ATER FOWL. 



turbed, it is also very active during the day. After feed- 

 ing I have often seen large flocks gather on a lake or 

 broad place on a river, notably the Mississippi, and hud- 

 dled closely together enjoy a quiet siesta in the warm 

 sunshine, and, in the case of the river above mentioned, 

 floating along with the current, apparently utterly indif- 

 ferent as to where it might carry them. The flesh of this 

 Duck is very tender and of excellent flavor, especially 

 when the bird has been feeding on delicate grasses, like 

 the wild celery or similar food, and on this account is 

 much sought after by gunners. It is, however, of better 

 flavor when procured in the interior than on the sea- 

 coast, its food in the latter locality probably being of a less 

 desirable quality. In addition to the name at the head of 

 this article, this species is also called Mud Teal, Winter 

 Teal, Red-headed Teal, and Sarcelle by the French. 



NETTION CAROLINENSIS. 



Geographical Distribution. — Throughout North America from 

 the Arctic Regions to Honduras in Central America, and to 

 Cuba. Breeds north of the United States, only occasionally 

 within our limits. 



Adult Male. — Head and neck, rufous chestnut, with a broad 

 metallic green band from eye to nape, terminating in a tuft of 

 purplish black. A narrow buff line borders the under side of the 

 green band. Chin, black. Back and sides crossed with narrow, 

 wavy black and white lines; lower back, dark brownish gray. 

 Upper tail coverts, dusky; margined with white. Tail feathers, 

 brownish gray, edged with white. A broad white bar in front of 

 bend of wing. Wing coverts, brownish gray, tipped with ochra- 

 ceous buff, forming a half bar across wing, succeeded by abroad 

 metallic green patch or speculum, bordered beneath by another 

 broad black bar, tipped with white. Tertials, brownish gray on 

 inner webs, crossed by narrow black and white wavy lines on 

 outer webs, and margined with black. Secondaries, brownish 

 gray; the oviter ones bordered with black, which with the same 



