ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 165 
Mr. H. Nicholls, Kingsbridge, South Devon, shot out of a flock (perhaps of 
Common Teal) at the mouth of the Dart, December 23rd or 24th, 1879. 
The white crescentic band in front of each wing (the chief specific character- 
istic) was fully defined. Dr. Edmund Elliott writes (in giving an account of 
the occurrence) that it was the only British killed example which had been 
publicly examined ; but a male had been recorded as having been shot near 
Scarborough, November, 1851, and it was stated that another was killed in 
Hampshire nearly 50 years ago. Up to the present time this species was 
not known to have been introduced on any ornamental waters in Great 
Britain or the Continent.” (P.Z.S., December 4th, 1888). 
Male.—Very similar to Wettrum crecca, but the pencilling 
finer ; on the lower neck there is a crescentic band of white ; in 
post-nuptial plumage the male somewhat resembles the female ; 
bill black ; feet plumbeous grey; eye brown. 
Female.—Similar to that of ettium crecca. 
The same. 
Young. 
Egg.—Whitish-yellow ; six to eleven in number. 
CHESTNUT-BREASTED TEAL. 
(Nettium castaneum. Anas punctata), 
This bird, also known as ‘Chestnut Wigeon,” is an 
inhabitant of Australia, and one which should not fail to be 
secured by the amateur when offered for sale, which is, 
however, but seldom, the price being usually about #4 the 
pair. Gould, in his magnificent work on the “Birds of 
Australia,” states that it is a true grass-feeder, and that it is 
found in large flocks in the southern parts of Tasmania. 
The male undergoes a change of plumage, presenting the 
aspect of the female during more than half the year, and not 
attaining full dress until his second or even third year. The 
Zoological Society of London possesses two examples of the 
Chestnut-breasted Teal, which have not yet bred. 
