PLATE CXCII. 



The Common Teal is a native of Europe and Afia, inhabiting the 

 north as far as Iceland, and the foiith to the Cafpian fea, beyond 

 %Yhich it extends on the eall as far as China, India, and fome other 

 adjacent countries. 



During the winter feafon there are few fpecles of wild fowl more 

 abundant in this country than the Common Teal, which is caught in 

 vaft numbers for the fupply of the London markets. But it was long 

 before it was clearly afcertained to breed in this country. It is now 

 inown to breed in the north of England, and alfo in Scotland. 



In France, where the Common Teal inhabits throughout the year, 

 it frequents watery places, making its neft, in April, among the 

 rufties that grow about the edges of the ponds, and feeds on the feeds 

 of the rufhes, and on the grafs and weeds the ponds afford, as well as 

 on the fmaller kinds of fifties. The nefl is faid to be of a large lize, 

 and fo placed in the water as to rife and fall with it : the eggs, which 

 in point of fize, refemble thofe of a pigeon, are of a whitifti colour, 

 with fmall hazel fpots. 



The fnbje6l reprefented in the prefent plate is the female, which 

 differs materially in fome particulars of the plumage from the male. 



Length about fourteen inches. 



PLATE 



