181 THE GAME BREEDER 



black Siberian hare was so intense, tha' standard of perfection for the Siberian 



they were not even exhibited." hare: Dr. R. H. Cowan, R. E. Brute 



The following gentlemen were appoint- Dr. W. G. Thompson, R. H. Dickson, 



ed to act as a committee to formulate a Dr. T. S. McGillivray and Jas. Petfield. 



THE' CINNAMON TEAL. 



By Harold C. Bryant. 



The cinnamon teal is without doubt winged teal the female cinnamon teal 

 the commonest nesting duck in Califor- may be distinguished by its larger size. 

 nia. In spite of this fact it is a duck longer bill and neck, and slightly darker 

 little known to sportsmen, for practically color. The blue wing patch has givei 

 the whole population moves southward the foundation for the name "blue- 

 early in the fall and is not present here winged teal," which is often incorrectly 

 during the winter season. applied by hunters in this State. 



The most interesting point in the dis- Nesting is at its height during May 

 tribution of the cinnamon teal is in the and June. Most often the nest is built 

 fact that what is apparently the same on grassy islands, or among tules. Al- 

 species has two distinct breeding though nesting most commonly near 

 grounds, one in North America and one fresh water, this bird is not uncommon 

 in South America. These two regions in the lowlands adjacent to the salt 

 are separated by a strip of 2,000 miles marshes along the coast of southern Cali- 

 where the bird is practically unknown, fornia. From six to thirteen cream-col- 

 The breeding seasons of the two contin- ored or whitish eggs are laid, and these 

 gents are six months apart, and birds are well concealed during the absence of 

 from the north do not emigrate to th the parent bird by a thick layer of black- 

 southern area, nor do the southern birds ish down. While setting the female is 

 migrate into the breeding area in North very secretive and only flushes on close 

 America. approach to the nest. Broods of small 



In North America the cinnamon teal young are to be found most often dur- 



is to be found almost exclusively wesi ing the latter part of May and the firs: 



of the Rocky Mountains. On the Pacific of June. Although the female performs 



Coast it breeds from southern Britie the duties of incubation, the male ofte 



Columbia and west central Canada to joins her after the young are hatched. 



Lower California. During the winter Downy young are extremely active on 



season it is to be found in the southern- the water and are able to elude pursuit 



most part of this range and somewhat easily by diving. As is the case with 



farther south into Mexico. Most of the most ducks, the mother when disturbed 



California birds go farther south to is adept at the broken-wing ruse, 

 spend the winter, but sometimes individ- The cinnamon teal is one of the tamest 



uals winter in certain local areas. of our ducks and can often be ap- 



The attractive colors of the cinnamon proached within a few yards' distance, 



teal have always given it a reputation. After the nesting season family partie; 



No other duck possesses the rich chest- are the general rule. Even when leaving 



nut, or cinnamon, color of the breast of for the south, this species never con- 



the male. The females and young, how- gregates in such large flocks as does thi 



ever, are difficult to distinguish from the green-winged teal. The females alone 



blue-winged teal in like plumages. Close utter wheezy quacks, and it is they also 



examination of the bills of these two that first take wing, 

 species will help in identification, for the Food is obtained in shallow water 



bill of the blue wing is smallest and along the borders of the ponds, where 



widest at the base. From the green- the birds may be seen "standing on their 



