208 THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 



own capture, and will even reject such as is infected with 

 parasites. It may go far beyond our southern limits in 

 winter, but it is not found in the highest latitudes of North 

 America in summer. 



THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 



On reaching a beautiful large pond, an enlargement of 

 Oak Orchard Creek, in the edge of the wilderness of Tona- 

 wanda Swamp, I seat myself behind a small screen of rails 

 and bits of board in the corner of the fence, for observation. 

 It is a beautiful sunny day, with a remarkably clear sky for 

 the month, of April. About ten o'clock in the forenoon a 

 small flock of Blue-winged Teals (Querquedula discors) fly 

 down the narrow, glassy stream, and alight on the farther 

 side of the pond. How straightforward and swiftly they 

 fly, their narrow-pointed wings beating the air with a grace- 

 fulness and rapidity truly wonderful. Generally the Teals 

 reconnoiter the place in cautious, circling flights, before 

 alighting; but this is a very retired spot, where this flock 

 has no doubt fed undisturbed for some time; hence, with- 

 out tMs ordinary precaution, they drop gently down with 

 rigidly expanded wings, and, having glanced about them, 

 soon immerse their heads in search of the naias flexilis and 

 other species of the pond-weed family luxuriating in these 

 quiet waters. Occasionally they throw up their feet and 

 hinder parts in feeding, but generally float quietly on the 

 water, simply plunging the head and neck. Every now and 

 then they change their spot for feeding, swimming so grace- 

 fully and rapidly that they seem almost like an apparition 

 on the smooth surface. The tranquility of the place on this 

 beautiful sunny morning is perfect. There is apparently 

 not the slightest cause for the suspicion of danger, and the 

 little flock of Blue-wings seem completely off their guard. 



