242 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Eggs. — Five to twelve, creamy-white (unless nest-stained), the sur- 
face being smooth and slightly glossy. Breeding-season : practically 
throughout the year, influenced by the rainfall. 
3. Chestnut Teal Querquedula castanea Eyton 
cas-tan-e-a — L., casiancus , chestnut. 
Distribution. — New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, south 
and mid-western Australia, and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Chestnut-breasted Teal, Green-headed Teal, 
Black Teal, Mountain Teal, and Tete. Usually in small flocks, often in 
the company of the Grey Teal, frequenting salt-water lakes, inlets, and 
swamps, as well as inland streams and lagoons. It is similar in habits 
and economy to the Grey Teal. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree, but occasionally on the 
ground in grass or herbage in the vicinity of water; lined with down. 
Eggs. — Nine to thirteen, cream-coloured (unless nest-stained), the 
surface being glossy and greasy. Breeding-season: June to December. 
4. Garganey Teal Querquedula querquedula Linne 
quer-qued'-u-la — N.L., querquedula, duck. 
Distribution. — Northern Europe, Asia, tropical Africa to New 
Guinea ; accidental to Australia. 
Notes.— Also called Summer Teal and Cricket Teal. There are only 
three records of the occurrence of this species in Australia, the specimens 
being secured in Victoria. The female differs from the adult male chiefly 
by the absence of the chocolate-brown on the sides of the face and fore- 
neck, the dark brown spot on the chin (this part being white), the orna- 
mental feathers on the scapulars, and the fine barring on the lower 
abdomen. 
Nest. — A depression in the ground among grass or herbage, lined 
with grass and down. 
Eggs . — Eight to fourteen, huffish-white or cream-coloured (unless 
nest-stained), the surface being smooth and glossy. Not known to breed 
•in Australia. 
5. Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis Gould 
0 x-y-ur’-a — Gk, oxys, sharp; Gk, oura, tail: australis — southern (Aus- 
tralian). 
Distribution . — Southern Australia (from Moora, Western Australia, 
to Chinchilla, Queensland) and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Spiny-tailed Duck, Stiff-tailed Duck, Diving 
Duck, and Little Musk Duck. Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting 
chiefly lakes, lagoons, or swamps. It is a shy and wary bird ; generally 
keeps to the deep reaches and pools or to the small islands of reeds and 
