﻿98 ANATIJXK. 



NA TA TORES. A ,VA TJD.E. 



PLATE CCXLIX. 



TEAL. 



QUERQUEDULA CRECCA. 



The Teal is indigenous in Great Britain, but its numbers 

 are greatly increased also, during the winter, by migratory 

 bands from more northern countries. Its numbers are very 

 considerable, and only second in this respect to the mallard. 



Its geographical distribution extends over most parts of 

 Europe and Asia, from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and 

 Russia, where it passes the summer months, to Spain, Italy, 

 and Turkey, and even Egypt. In Denmark, Great Britain, 

 and Holland its numbers are very great : in Asia it ranges 

 from Kamtschatka to Japan, China, the East Indies, Persia, 

 and Arabia. 



The Teal is a very hardy bird, but it invariably migrates 

 southward to pass the winter in tolerably mild countries, 

 and its migration commences generally in September, and 

 continues through October and November. In the middle 

 of March, it begins its returning movements to its breeding 

 localities in small or large companies, rarely singly or in 

 pairs, and its chief migrations take place during the night, 

 although many flocks are seen in the day-time, flying cither 

 in a line or a triangle, and at a very great elevation. 



