FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 497 



and outer webs of the longer scapulars are light grayish blue ; the exposed portion 

 of the middle coverts is white ; the speculum is metallic green with a duller 

 subterminal portion and a white tip ; the tertials are black, with a shaft streak 

 of buff. The chin is blackish, the crissum deep black ; the entire remaining part 

 of the lower surface light reddish, much spotted with ' black ; there is a white 

 patch on each side at the base of the tail, and the axillars are of the same color. 

 The bill is black, the eye brown, the feet yellowish. The female is of somewhat 

 smaller size and plainer colors. 



TI)e (ireen-vinged Teal. 



This elegant little duck, though at one time considered identical with its near Old 

 World relative, is yet quite distinct. In North America it has a wider general dis- 

 tribution than has its cousin the Blue-winged Teal, being common over almost all 

 the continent. In summer it sojourns from the northern United States northward, 

 chiefly in the interior; and in its winter wanderings reaches Central America and the 

 West Indies. 



In general, its habits are similar to those of the Blue-winged Teal, and its flesh is 

 equally sweet and juicy. In flocks it seeks the marshes of the interior, being 

 somewhat more wary, and when on land moves with more ease and lack of awkward- 

 ness ; in the fall it is often found in the rice-fields of the Southern States. Like 

 many of the other fresh-water ducks it often seeks its food of aquatic plants, seeds 

 and insects by night. This is one of the most rapid fly.ers among the ducks, and 

 even in rising from the water is devoid of much of the clumsiness that is so 

 frequently fatal ; it also dives with ease. 



Its nest is apparently not distinguishable from that of the Blue-winged species 

 and like that is often situated at some little distance from the water. The creamy or 

 buffy white eggs are from six to eighteen in number. 



The adult male Green-winged Teal is about 15 inches in length, with an extent 

 of wing approximating 24 inches. The head and neck are chestnut-rufous, except 

 for a broad band of metallic green extending on each side from the eye to the nape, 

 and narrowly bordered in front and below by yellowish white. The entire remain- 

 ing upper surface is ashy; the outer scapulars have their external webs black 

 exteriorly, bordered within by white ; the greater wing-coverts are terminally 

 broadly ochraceous ; the speculum is black, with a restricted white tip, and the 



upper part brilliant iridescent green. The chin and upper throat are dull black, the 

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