238 
NATURAL HISTORY 
in very hard seasons, and then not more than three or 
four of them together. 
Teal. (PL 40.) This is the smallest bird of the 
duck-kind, and does not usually weigh more than twelve 
or fourteen ounces: it is about sixteen inches from the 
point o f the bill to the end of the tail, and from the ex- 
tremity of each wing, when extended, near two feet. 
The bill is of a dark brown colour, the head is considera- 
bly lighter, inclining to a bay, with a large white stripe 
over each eye, bending downwards, towards the back 
part of the head: the neck, back, and tail, are of a more 
dusky colour. The breast is of a dirty coloured yellow, 
interspersed with dusky transverse lines: the belly more 
bright, with yellowish brown spots: the quill-feathers of 
the wings are of a dusky brown, with white edges; the 
covert-feathers appear of a fine shining green, with their 
tips white; the scapular feathers are more inclining to an 
ash-colour; the legs and feet are brown, the claws black. 
These birds feed on water plants, seeds and grass. , 
The Chinese teal of Edwards, and the summer duck 
of Catesby, are elegant species; the former is a native 
of China, sometimes brought alive into England, but too 
tender to be reared in that country. The other inhabits 
Mexico and some of the West-India islands; and is to 
be seen at times in the menageries of the curious. 
Crane. (PI. 40.) Birds of this species may, for the 
most part, be distinguished by the length of their legs 
and bills, the latter of which are possessed of great sen- 
sibility near the point, and even furnished with nerves, 
for the better feeling their food at the bottom of 
marshes, where it cannot be seen. None of them have 
been taken under the protection of man; but they lead a 
life of precarious liberty, in fens and marshes, at the edges 
of lakes, and along the sea-shore. These cannot strictly 
speaking, be called either land-birds, or water-fowl; as 
they derive all their sustenance from watery places, and 
yet are unqualified to seek it in those depths where it is 
found in greatest plenty. 
The above bird measures about three feet and a quarter 
in length and three feet in height, with a neck proper- 
