102 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. 



and sides of the breast white, thickly crossed in the same manner; 

 breast elegantly marked with roundish or heart shaped spots of 

 black on a pale vinaceous ground, variegated with lighter tints ; 

 belly white; sides waved with undulating lines; lower part of the 

 vent feathers black; sides of the same brownish white, or pale 

 reddish cream ; lesser wing coverts brown ash, greater tipt with 

 reddish cream ; the first five secondaries deep velvetty black, the 

 next five resplendent green, forming the speculum or beauty spot, 

 which is bounded above by pale buff, below by white, and on each 

 side by deep black; primaries ashy brown; tail pointed, eighteen 

 feathers, dark drab ; legs and feet flesh colored. In some a few 

 circular touches of white appear on the breast, near the shoulder 

 of the wing. The windpipe has a small bony labyrinth where it 

 separates into the lungs ; the intestines measure three feet six 

 inches, and are very small and tender. 



The female wants the chesnut bay on the head, and the band 

 of rich green through the eye, these parts being dusky white speck- 

 led with black ; the breast is grey brown, thickly sprinkled with 

 blackish, or dark brown; the back dark brown, waved with broad 

 lines of brownish white ; wing nearly the same as in the male. 



This species is said to breed at Hudson's Bay, and to have 

 from five to seven young at a time.^ In France it remains throug^h- 

 out the year, and builds in April, among the rushes on the edges 

 of ponds. It has been lately discovered to breed also in England, 

 in the mosses about Carlisle.t It is not known to breed in any 

 part of the United States. The Teal is found in the north of Eu- 

 rope as far as Iceland ; and also inhabits the Caspian sea to the 

 south. Extends likewise to China, having been recognized by 

 Latham among some fine drawings of the birds of that country. 



* Latliam. 



f Bewi(*k. 



