72 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



In Southern Ontario this dainty little duck is known only as a 

 passing migrant in spring and fall. During the latter season it is 

 much sought after at the shooting stations on account of the delicacy 

 of its flesh. It breeds abundantly throughout Manitoba and the 

 great North- West, and is mentioned among the birds found by Dr. 

 Bell at Hudson's Bay. 



Of the two teals common in Ontario, this seems the hardier, breed- 

 ing farther north, and remaining later with us in the fall. In the 

 spring it appears as soon as there is open water in the marshes, and 

 at this season, being very properly protected by the Game Act, it 

 passes on in peace. 



Of its occurrence in Alaska, Mr. Nelson says : " It is found widely 

 spread and rather common over the mainland, and it is resident 

 throughout the entire length of the Aleutian Chain. 



" They are the least suspicious of the ducks, probably because the 

 Eskimo usually consider them too small to waste a charge of powder 

 and shot upon." 



Subgenus QUERQUEDULA Stephens. 

 ANAS DISCORS Linn. 



42. Blue-winged Teal. (140) 



Head and neck of the male, blackish plumbeous, darkest on the crown, 

 usually with purplish iridescence ; a white crescent in front of the eye ; under 

 parts thickly dark spotted; wing coverts, sky blue, the greater white-tipped; 

 speculum, green, white-tipped ; axillars and most under wing coverts, white ; 

 scapulars striped with tawny and blue, or dark green ; fore back, barred ; rump 

 and tail, dark, plain ; crissum, black ; bill, black ; feet, dusky yellow. Female: — 

 With head and neck altogether different ; under parts much paler and obscurely 

 spotted, but known by the wing marks ; size, same as caroli'n^n.si.-i. 



Hab. — Xorth America in general, but chiefly the Eastern Province ; north 

 to Alaska, and south to the West Indies and northern South America ; breeds 

 from the northern United States northward. 



Nest, composed of dry grass and weeds, lined with feathers. 



Eggs, eight to ten, dull greenish or buff. 



At Hamilton very few of this species are seen in spring, but in 

 the fall they often appear in flocks rf)f considerable size, and during 

 their short stay afford good sport to the gunners, who wait for them 

 in the evening near their feeding ground. 



At St. Clair I have seen them in June, evidently mated, and have 



