THE FRENCH TEAL. 219 



Food Description. 



the quill-feathers of the wings are of a dusky 

 brown, with white edges; the covert feathers ap- 

 pear of a fine shining green, with their tips 

 white; the scapular feathers are more inclining 

 to an ash-colour; the legs and feet are brown, 

 the claws black. 



These birds feed on water-plants, seeds and 

 grass. * 



THE FRENCH TEAL 



IS about the size of the former ; the cock of 

 this tribe has a broad black bill ; tfre eyes are of 

 a sort of hazel colour; the upper part of the head 

 and neck are of a light brown, or bay, with a 

 shining green line running from each eye to the 

 back part of the head, with a black spot inter- 

 vening between, and a white line passing under 

 the eyes : the back, the lower part of the neck, 

 and lines underneath the wings, are beautified 

 with fine waving lines of black and white ; the 

 breast is more of a yellowish colour, spotted with 

 black, that bears some resemblance to scales; 

 the belly is of a dirty white, or grey. 



The wings are of a brown, or dusky colour, 

 some of them with white tips, and their outward 

 edges black; others green, with .yellowish edges; 

 the covert feathers have some of them white tips, 

 and the green coverts appear of a yellowish red ; 

 the whole beautifully variegated with different 

 shades, that make a very agreeable appearance 



