368 duck. 



vent black ; wing coverts brown; quills dusky; speculum green, 

 bounded obliquely above with black, and edged with white ; tail 

 cuneiform, brown, edged with white; legs brown. 



The female has the head and neck dusky white and brown mixed ; 

 the lower part of the neck and sides over the wing brown, edged 

 with dusky white; legs brown.* 



The male has not only a slender windpipe in proportion to the 

 size of its body, but a very small labyrinth, being not much bigger 

 than a pea. See the figure in Lin. Trans. 



The Teal is frequently seen in our markets in the winter, and 

 often on our fresh waters ; retires to the northern parts in the summer 

 to breed, which it is known to do in the mosses about Carlisle, in 

 Cumberland; besides which, we are informed, that it has been met 

 with on Wolmer Forest, among the Flappers, or young Wild Ducks ; 

 several of both of them having been caught alive there in July 

 1773 ; and the late Mr. Boys supposed them to breed about Sand- 

 wich, from his meeting with them very late in spring, Mr. Youel 

 had four young birds of the Teal hatched at Rudham, in Norfolk. 

 The nest is generally of a large size, composed of bents, flags, or 

 rushes, and the tenderest stalks of them, with the addition of the 

 pith, and a quantity of feathers; and placed so close to the water, as 

 to rise and fall with it : the eggs dirty white, the size of those of the 

 Pigeon, marked with dusky, or hazel spots. Is said to feed on the 

 grass and weeds, which grow on the edges of ponds, or the seeds 

 of rushes, also small fish. The flesh is accounted excellent. Is found 

 on the Continent as high as Iceland ; also in France, Italy, Spain, 

 and Germany ; frequent about the Caspian Sea, and extends both to 

 China, and India ; and we are certain also, that the Garganey, Wild 

 Duck, Shoveler, and Gadwall, as well as this species, are found on 

 the Coast of Coromandel, and there called Sohn Churucha. 



* Dr. Lamb, some time since informed me, that he has more than once observed a large 

 number of female Teals with no males among them. 



