162 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
near eye; “first feathers have broad and rather bright reddish- 
brown edges ” (Dresser). 
Egg.—Creamy-white ; ‘‘small; bluish-yellow” (Midden- 
dorff); ten to twelve in number. June—July. Incubation, 
twenty-eight days. 
COMMON TEAL. 
(Netitum crecca.  Querquedula crecca.) 
This bird being greatly esteemed for the table, is 
much in request on its arrival on our shores in winter. 
It is first seen about September, flying in large flocks. It 
breeds by preference in the northern parts of the British Isles, 
but its nest, thickly lined with dark down, may be found during 
April and May in many districts in England, commonly in 
Dorset, Hants, and Sussex, nor is it to be discovered without 
close search, secreted as it is under some low bush usually a 
considerable distance from the water, or concealed in a tuft of 
coarse grass, where the duck will sit three weeks on from seven 
to ten creamy-white eggs. If allowed seclusion, the Teal will 
breed in captivity. A ready sale is found for these birds at 
from 1os.6d. to 15s.6d. the pair. 
Male.—Fourteen inches long. Head fine chestnut, with 
a short, soft crest ; round the eye and extending to the back of 
the head, a broad band of green and blue, with a yellowish- 
white margin ; upper body ashy-grey shading into brown, finely 
pencilled with black ; small wing-coverts white ; flights dark ; 
the breast of a light shade passing into white, is dotted with 
