THE TEAL. 



Nettion crecca (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 47. 



The Teal is not uncommon as a breeding species in many parts of the British 

 Islands, being more numerous in the northern counties of England and in Wales 

 than in the south, whilst it is plentifully distributed over the bogs and mosses of 

 Scotland and Ireland. In autumn and winter its numbers are much increased by 

 birds arriving on our shores from Northern Europe, which gather in large flocks on 

 the coast or make their way inland, according to the severity of the weather. 

 Ranging through the whole of Europe, it visits North Africa in winter, is found 

 over the greater part of Asia, and occasionally occurs in eastern North America. 



The nest, placed on dry ground, occasionally at some distance from water, and 

 usually amongst tall heather or other cover, is plentifully lined with down, and 

 contains from eight to fifteen eggs, of a buffish-white colour tinged with green. 



The male Teal, according to Millais, occasionally utters a low double whistle, and 

 the female when frightened or anxious about her brood will emit a subdued little 

 " quack." 



The food is similar to that of other surface-feeding ducks. 



Although its favourite haunts are bogs and fresh-water marshes, the Teal will 

 resort to the estuaries and sea-coast in hard weather, at which times they are much 

 harassed by punt-gunners, and at all times are a favourite prey of the Peregrine 

 Falcon. When startled, they will rise suddenly and shoot upwards, flying at a great 

 pace, and on such occasions do not afford an easy mark for the gunner. 



The females are excellent mothers, and show great affection for their young. 



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