Birds of Britain 

 THE GARGANEY 



Querquedula circia (Llnnsus) 



This is one of our scarcest species, coming to us as a 

 summer immigrant from April to September, and remaining 

 in a few suitable spots to breed. It is commonest in 

 Norfolk, and may also be found in Hants, Kent, Suffolk, 

 and Yorkshire. Elsewhere its occurrences are rare and 

 only consist of stragglers on migration. 



It breeds regularly on the Continent from Sweden 

 southwards, becoming commoner in the east 



The nest is usually placed in a dry and often open 

 situation, where there is but little cover. The eggs resemble 

 those of the Teal, but are rather greener in tint. 



The crown and nape of the male are dark brown, with 

 a conspicuous white stripe passing backwards over the eye. 

 Cheeks and neck brown ticked with white. Back dark 

 brown ; wing coverts bluish grey. Chin black ; breast pale 

 brown, with dark crescentic bars ; remainder of under parts 

 white. Vermiculated on the flanks. Speculum green ; 

 bill black; legs greenish. Female somewhat similar to 

 Duck of the common Teal, but may be distinguished by 

 the presence of a light stripe over the eye. The feathers 

 of the back are dark with light margins, iwt barred as in 

 the Teal, while the feathers of the breast are also entirely 

 dark with white margins. Length 16 in. ; wing 7*8 in. 



250 



