184 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
of April. The nest, which is composed of rushes and dried 
grass mixed with the down of the bird, is placed upon the 
ground in low boggy situations, amongst the coarse herbage, 
and rushes in marshes, and on the borders of inland waters 
and rivers.” In India these birds are caught in large numbers, 
and kept alive, being fed up throughout the summer for the 
table. The value in this country varies from 25s. a pair 
upwards. 
Male.—Upper part of head and back of neck dark 
brown ; a white crescent over the eye and down the neck, by 
which this bird may always be known; chin black; throat 
and breast yellowish-brown ; upper surface brownish-grey, with 
green reflections, each feather margined with darker; wings 
pale blue grey; scapulars long, pointed, and black, with a 
central stripe of white; abdomen white; sides white, pencilled 
with black ; feet brown ; bill black ; iris bluish-brown. 
Female.——General colour, brown of various shades; 
under surface white; a dark brown line round the eye; chin 
and throat white. 
Young.—Dark brown down, two yellow-white patches on 
each side of rump; dark eyebrow; under surface yellowish- 
white. First feathers like female but redder. 
Egg.—Yellowish-white ; ten to twelve in number. May 
—July. Incubation, three weeks. 
Nest Down.—Long, dark dull brown, white tips. 
WHITE-FACED TEAL. 
( Querquedula discors). 
This Teal, well named by Latham ‘“White-faced” on 
account of the broad crescentic band in front of the eye, 
