NESTING-SERIES OP BRITISH BIRDS. 189 



where it was originally introduced. It frequents freshwater lakes which 

 afford plenty of cover^ and, owing to its retiring habits, is often supposed 

 to be more uncommon than is really the case. It feeds by night, 

 chiefly on grain, seeds, and other vegetable matter. The nest (made of 

 grass and lined with down) is placed at a short distance from the 

 water, under a bush or tuft of long grass. From eight to twelve 

 whitish-bufE eggs are laid from towards the end of May onwards. 



Norfolk, July. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham. 



No. 141. TEAL. (Nettion crecca.) 



The smallest of our British Ducks, this species is more abundant 

 during the winter months than in summer, but it breeds in almost every 

 county of Great Britain and Ireland. It frequents fresh water, and 

 feeds on the seeds of aquatic plants, grain, worms, slugs, and insects, 

 and the flesh is much esteemed as food. The nest, composed of dry 

 grass and leaves, is lined with blackish down and placed in tufts of coarse 

 grass or heather on the borders of lakes or morasses. From eight to 

 fourteen creamy- white or pale buff eggs are laid early in May. 



1.— Norfolk, May. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham. 



2. — Hertfordshire, May, 



Presented by the Hon. L. W. Rothschild. 



No. 142. WIGEON. (Mareca penelope.) 



A winter visitor to the British Islands, generally appearing on our 

 coasts in vast numbers about the end of September or beginning of 

 October, and remaining till March and April, when the majority return 

 to the north. A considerable number remain to breed, principally 

 about the lochs in the north of Scotland and, possibly, in Ireland. 

 The nest, which is placed among rushes, coarse herbage, or heather, is 

 thickly lined with down, and may contain from seven to ten cream- 

 coloured eggs. 



Sutherlandshire, June. 



Presented by Colonel L. U. Irby ^ Captain S. G. Reid, 



