THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
counties of England. In Ireland it is universally distributed, and nests 
in every county. In winter, from September onwards, its numbers are 
vastly increased by visitors from Europe. 
Nest and eggs . — ^The nest is usually placed among rough grass, heather 
and low bushes in the vicinity of water, and is made of dead grass, 
leaves, etc., lined with blackish down. From eight to fourteen creamy- 
white or pale buff eggs, often with a tinge of green, are laid in May or 
June, according to locality, and measure about 1 8 by 1*3 inches. 
The teal frequents fresh water, and feeds on the seeds of aquatic plants, 
grain, worms, slugs and insects ; its flesh is much esteemed as food. 
AMERICAN TEAL 
QUERQUEDULA CAROLINENSIS 
Nettion carolinense, Salvador!, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., xxvii, p. 250 (1895); Saunders, III. 
Man. Brit. Birds, p. 433 (1899) ; Millais, Surface-feeding Ducks, p. 89, pi. xxxvi (1902). 
Anas carolinensis, Lilford, Col. Fig. Brit. Birds, part xxxv, pi. (1897). 
DULT male. — Similar to the male of Q. crecca^ but the light 
band ascending from the gape and passing over the 
eye is nearly obsolete; the scapulars are uniform slate - 
/ grey with no whitish -buff on the outer ones; there is 
£ a broad whitish band on each side of the breast above 
the shoulder, and the speculum is edged internally with 
chestnut. Total length about 14*5 inches; bill 1 ‘5 inch; wing 7*2 inches; 
tail 3*0 inches; tarsus 1 2 inch. 
Adult male in eclipse-plumage . — Very similar to the female. 
Adult female . — Similar to the female of Q. crecca., but the wing-specu" 
lum is edged internally with rufous, as in the male. Total length about 
13 5 inches; bill 1*4 inch; wing 6 '8 inches; tail 2*5 inches; tarsus 1*2 
inch. 
General distribution . — The American teal replaces the common teal 
in North America, where it is generally distributed over the northern 
portions in summer, from the Arctic regions of Alaska to Greenland. 
It is resident in the Aleutian Islands, and in winter its migrations extend 
340 
