﻿104 ANATID.E. 



not go far north, and draws towards the southern and 

 warmer climates on the first appearance of cold and frost : 

 its autumnal migrations are generally performed in October 

 and November, and its vernal in March and April. 

 According to Selby, it is during the spring migration that 

 the Gargany Teal is most frequently met with in the 

 eastern counties of Great Britain. Some writers have stated 

 that it remains with us during the winter ; but we have 

 never met with it, and can hardly suppose this to be correct, 

 owing to the tender nature of the bird. Some such circum- 

 stance may occur where a bird has been slightly wounded, or 

 been obliged, from other causes, to remain against its in- 

 clination. 



During the day., the present species conceals itself on the 

 water among flags and weeds that abound on the borders 

 of lakes and ponds, ditches and rivers ; it may also some- 

 times be met with feeding in a low meadow or field. Its 

 time for roosting is the middle of the day, and it takes its 

 rest either on the water, or standing and squatting among 

 the long grass in meadows. Towards the dusk of the 

 evening, and mostly earlier than other ducks, it starts from 

 its retreat, to the usual feeding-grounds, among which 

 pools, occasioned by heavy rain or thawed snow, form a 

 favourite resort ; there the Gargany Teal busies itself 

 throughout the night, until the approach of daylight reminds 

 it that its safety becomes endangered. 



The Gargany Teal is not conspicuous in the bright 

 colouring of its plumage, but on near inspection it will be found 

 to be one of the most beautifully marked of its family, 

 and its general appearance is graceful : its capacities in 

 the way of swimming and walking are equal in every 

 respect to those of the foregoing species ; its flight is 

 exceedingly buoyant, sometimes very quick, and it is said 



