552 DUCK. 



Wild Ducks, in winter; but whether it breeds here, like them, has 

 efcaped our notice. In France it flays throughout the year, and 

 makes a neft in April among the rujhes, on the edges of ponds •„ 

 it is compofed of the tendereft ftalks of them, with the addition 

 of the pith, and a quantity of feathers. The neft is of a large 

 fize, and placed in the water, fo as to rife and fall with it. The 

 eggs are the fize of thofe of a Pigeon, of a dirty white, marked 

 with fmall hazel fpots *. Is faid to feed on the grafs and nmcds 

 \vhich grow on the edges of the ponds which it frequents, as well 

 as the feeds of the rujhes; it will alfo eat fmall f/hf. The flefh 

 is accounted excellent. It is found to the nofih as high as Ice- 

 land; and is mentioned as inhabiting the Cafpian Sea to the fouth, 

 "We make no doubt that it alfo extends to China, as we have feen 

 a figure of it among fome fine drawings of the birds of that 

 part of the world. 



gn. Anas circia, Lin. Syjl. i. p. 204. 34. — Faun. Snec. 130. — Scop. Jinn. L 



SUMMER T. N° 76.— Brun. On:. N° 83. 



La Sarcelle d'Ete, Brif, Orn. vi. p. 445. 33. — Buf. Oif. ix. p. 268. 

 Summer Teal, Rati Sjn.p. J48. 7. — Will. Orn. p. 378.pl. 76. — Albin, ih. 

 pi. 103. 104. 



Description. HP HIS is faid to be fmaller than the Common Teal: length thir- 

 teen inches and a half. Bill dufky : the upper parts, from the 

 forehead to rump, greyifh brown, margined with white on the 

 back : over each eye a white ftreak : cheeks and throat chefnut : 

 fore part of the neck rufous, margined with brown : under parts 



* The Garganey and Teal are both faid to lay fix or feven eggs, in a hole hol- 

 Jowedaut by the bird. — Dec. Ruff. i. p. 102. 

 \JBp.4es0if. 



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