THE GARGANEY. 

 Querquedula circia (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 48. 



The Garganey or Summer Teal is a rather scarce spring visitor to England, 

 arriving in small numbers about the beginning of March, and breeding regularly, 

 though sparingly, in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent. Elsewhere in England it appears 

 to be rare, but it has nested in other counties besides those mentioned. It visits 

 Ireland occasionally, though never breeding there, and in Scotland is said to have 

 occurred on some of the islands in the north and west. It has a wide range over 

 Europe from the regions south of the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean countries, 

 and eastwards across Asia to Japan, visiting Africa and India in winter. 



The nest, composed of grass and sedge, and warmly lined with down, is often 

 placed at some distance from the water, and is well concealed, sometimes in the drier 

 parts of marshes, sometimes in rough pastures. The seven to thirteen buffish-white 

 eggs lack the greenish tint of the Common Teal's, having a more pronounced creamy 

 colour. 



This species feeds principally on tiny fishes and water-insects. 

 The curious grating rattle uttered by the male may be heard in the breeding 

 season. 



The late Lord Lilford in his Birds of Northamptonshire and Neighbourhood 

 says, "A flock of Garganeys twisting among trees presents a very remarkable 

 appearance, from the simultaneous flashing in the sun of the blue-grey coverts of the 

 male birds amidst the pale green of the early spring foliage." 



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