28o Water fowl. 



This genus contains only three species, widely separated : one 

 the North American, which, however, is found also throughout 

 the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere ; one from South 

 America; and one from Kerguelen Island. The American 

 Sprigtail is a gracefully formed bird, and although its neck may 

 seem disproportionately long, it does not appear so when the 

 bird is quietly swimming along intently seeking its food. The 

 Sprigtail is mainly a fresh-water Duck, and although it is found 

 on the sea-coast, yet even there it seeks the bays and sounds 

 where the water is brackish. It goes at times in large flocks, 

 and consorts frequently with the Widgeon, the two species fly- 

 ing about together. 



GENUS QUERQUEDULA 

 (Latin Querquedula, a kind of Teal). 



Querqiiedula, Steph. Gen. Zool., vol. xii. , pt. ii., 1824, p. 142. 

 Type Anas querquedula, Linn. 



Bill about as long as head, longer than tarsus; narrow, sides 

 parallel; greatest width more than one-third length of culmen. 

 Tail pointed. Head not crested. 



Two of the four species belonging to this genus are found in 

 North America. The males in full dress are very handsome 

 birds and strikingly different in the color of their plumage from 

 other Ducks. The habits of these teal and those of the genus 

 Nettion are very similar. Both go in flocks of considerable size, 

 have a swift, erratic flight, resort to like localities and seek the 

 same kind of food. In addition to its attractive appearance, the 

 Blue-winged Teal is one of our very best table birds, the flesh 

 being tender and juicy, and when it has been feeding upon wild 

 rice, is then of exceptionally fine flavor. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



A. Head and neck dull plumbeous. White \ blue- winged 

 crescentic patch between eye and bill. f teal. 



'2. discors. 5 



. White ) 

 aill. j 



B. Head and neck bright chestnut. No ) 



white patch between eye and bill. f '^'^ cyanop- 



CINNAMON TEAL. 



'. cyanop- 

 iera. J 



