Birds. 1179 



rounded shield-like upper mandible ; the generic name signifies the 

 same, and is derived from poyxo$, a bill, and ao-wlg a shield. 



Gad wall. Anas Strepera. Mr. J. Grey obtained, February 18th, 

 1843, an individual at Stockton, which he has preserved in his col- 

 lection. This genus has been named Chauliodus, or xaitfuo'Ssj, on 

 account of the pectinated lamella? of the bill being exserted from the 

 upper mandible. Indeed, the lamellae, or denticulations, constitute 

 one of the principal characters in defining the genera of the Anatidae. 

 Cuvier has very properly called his fourth family of Palmipedes, La- 

 mellirostres. The chief use of these remarkable lamellae on the edges 

 of the bill, seems to be for the water to run out between them, whilst 

 their projecting extremities or points retain the food with security. 

 Of the Lamellirostral group, the swans are principally graminivorous 

 and insectivorous, but rarely piscivorous : the geese are graminivorous 

 and granivorous : and the ducks are nearly omnivorous. 



Pintail, Anas acuta. Rare at Hartlepool, and " seen only in se- 

 vere weather," (Sharp's List). 



Wild Duck, or Mallard, Anas Boschas. The greater number 

 migrate to us from the North, but a few breed annually here. In the 

 decoys on the lakes at Wynyard and Hardwick, some rare water-bird 

 has now and then been taken with the common wild ducks. The 

 young ducks are termed flappers, and I have occasionally had much 

 amusement in shooting them near the ditches at Seaton Snook, espe- 

 cially in the evenings, during the light of the " harvest moon." The 

 peculiar and rapid whiz that these birds make with their wings as 

 they approach the sportsman, affords a pleasing sound to his ear. 

 For entertaining descriptions of shooting wild fowl in the Tees Bay, 

 I will refer the reader to Capt. Lacy's 4 Modern Shooter.' The do- 

 mestic duck has doubtless descended from the mallard. 



Garganey, Anas Querquedula. A fine bird was shot in the marsh- 

 es near the Tees, in January, 1829. It is not inserted in either 

 Sharp's List, or Graves's Catalogue. In the north of England it is 

 a rarity, for Mr. Yarrell (vol. iii. p. 18*2) mentions " Mr. Dunn, of Hull, 

 sent me word that he received two in Oct., 1840." Mr. Selby says no 

 instance of its capture further north in England has come to his know- 

 ledge ; although according to Professor Nilsson it visits Sweden in 

 the summer, yet its chief localities are middle and south Europe, and 

 parts of Asia and of Africa. 



Teal, Anas Crecca. Common to three portions of the globe. 

 Here it is found from the early part of autumn throughout the winter. 

 Its flight is strong and rapid. 



