THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 591 



berries and acorns are added to the watery fare of insects, worms, and snails, 

 while fallen grain and the water-soaked rice of the Carolinas is especially 

 acceptable. 



When surprised upon the water, the Teal clears its surface with a single 

 bound, and makes of? on sharply whistling wings with great swiftness. If 

 the situation is open, the opportunity requires quick work with the gun, but if 

 there are surrounding trees to clear, a good chance comes as the birds are 

 rising. In midflight the wings are agitated with almost incredible rapidity, 

 and it is an interesting thing to contrast their motion with that of a flock 

 of Mallards — which is by no means slow — to which the birds sometimes 

 join themselves. 



There is no reason to believe that Green-wing Teals breed in Ohio, tho 

 they may formerly have done so^; the birds winter, however, wherever there 

 is open water. 



No, 288. 



BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 



A. O. U. No. 140. Querquedula discors (Linn.). 



Description.- — Adult male: Forehead and crown (narrowly) and region 

 about base of bill bright blackish; a large white crescent on side of face before 

 eye ; rest of head and upper neck warm plumbeous, with metallic, wine-purple 

 reflections (like the plumage of certain doves) ; fore-neck and entire under parts 

 to crissum, including lengthened feathers of sides (nearly meeting across back 

 when wings are folded) purplish-vinaceous or purplish-chestnut, heaviest on 

 breast, paling laterally, spotted on crop and sides, and barred on breast, belly, 

 and longer flank feathers, with blackish; upper back and scapulars greenish fus- 

 cous, with narrow and elongated V-shaped markings of vinaceous-cinnamon ; 

 inner scapulars and tertiaries, narrow and elongated, greenish dusky, striped with 

 vinaceous-cinnamon ; lower back and behind nearly plain dusky ; crissum and tail 

 externally blackish ; flanks white ; wing-coverts and outer webs of outer scapulars 

 and tertiaries a beautiful light grayish blue; speculum shining bronzy green (not 

 so bright as in Nettion carolinensis, more "sickly") with dusky on either side, 

 and bordered in front by broad white tips of greater coverts ; axillars and lining 

 of wings mostly white ; "bill grayish black ; feet dingy yellow with dusky webs 

 and claws; iris brown" (Coues). Adult female (and male in summer) : Wing 

 substantially as before, or greater coverts not so extensively white-tipped; no 

 other indication of prime pattern ; head, neck, and under parts dull buffy or pale 

 brownish buff; the first two finely streaked, save on chin and upper throat, the 

 last variously spotted and marked with dusky, lightening on belly; back and 

 scapulars brownish dusky, blackening on longer feathers, narrowly edged with 

 light brownish. Young : "Similar to adult female, but whole belly immaculate, 

 and speculum dull grayish brown without metallic gloss" (Ridgw.). Length 

 14.50-16.00 (368.3-406.4) ; av. of six Columbus males: wing 7.34 (186.4) I tail 

 2.60 (66.); bill 1.60 (40.6); tarsus 1.20 (30.5). 



