QUERQUEDULA CIRCIA. 
Garg-aney. 
Anas Circia, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 204. 
Querquedula, Linn, ibid., p. 203. 
Querquedula, Briss. Ora., tom. vi. p. 427, pi. 39. figs. 1 & 2. 
(Estim, Briss. ibid., p. 445. 
Circia, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. p. 143, jj!. 51. 
circia, glaiicopteros, et scapularis, Brebm, Handb. der Naturg. aller Vdg. Deutsch., pp. 881, 882, 883. 
Pterocyanea querquedula, Bonap. Compt. Rend, de I’Acad. Sci., tom. xliii., seances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 
Cyanopterus querquedula. Bias. List of Birds of Eur., Engl. edit. p. 21. 
It may be considered by some of my contemporaries that, in accordance with the views of modern syste- 
matists, I ought to have adojhed the generic titles of Nettion and Pterocyanea or Cyanoptera for the Teal 
and Garganey respectively ; hut, while I admit the desirability of separating them from the old Linnsean genus 
Anas, I do not think they differ so much from each other as to warrant their being regarded as pertaining to 
distinct genera ; besides which I am aware that by many of my readers these minute subdivisions are con- 
sidered unnecessary. I have therefore retained them both under the term Querquedula proposed by Stephens 
long anterior to those above mentioned. 
All that I have said respecting the beauty and elegance of the Teal equally applies to the present bird, 
since, if possible, its summer dress is even more graceful than the nuptial costume of the Teal, the 
beautiful pencillings of its Hanks, the lengthened and pointed form of its scapularies, the delicacy of its grey 
tints, the crescentic edgings of the feathers of its breast, and the conspicuous white superciliary mark, con- 
trasted with the darker colouring of the surrounding parts, rendering it second to none of the Anatidce. 
Unlike the Teal, however, this species must be regarded as a visitor to, rather than a stationary species in, 
our islands ; although it regularly breeds, but in small numbers, in Norfolk, and perhaps some others of the 
eastern counties of England. The Teal, as will be seen by my account of that species, breeds with us 
regularly, and is far more abundant here in winter than in summer, its number, at that season, being 
greatly increased by accessions from distant northern countries. The Garganey or Summer Teal, on the 
other hand, is most abundant in spring, at which season vast numbers arrive from the southern and eastern 
portions of the continent. In all parts of France, Holland, Germany, Spain, and Italy it is far more 
numerous than in our islands ; and the further we proceed in an eastward direction, the more abundant it 
becomes. North Africa, Persia, and India appear to^ be especially congenial to it; and we learn from 
Mr. Swinhoe that it is also an inhabitant of China and the island of Formosa. Its principal resort in 
our islands are the eastern and southern counties, or those which are directly opposite to the shores of 
the Continent. In the month of May it may be looked for on the coasts of Suffolk, Norfolk, and 
Lincolnshire, whence many are annually sent to the London markets for natural-history purposes or 
for the table. In Scotland and in Ireland it is far less numerous than with us, and is even less abundant 
in the latter country than in the former. 
Mr. Rodd states that it is a rare visitant to Cornwall ; but, a few summers since, sev'eral were obtained 
in the neighbourhood of Penzance in very beautiful plumage. Its occurrence in Wales is also said to be 
rare, as it is along the western coast generally. 
The Rev. R. Lubbock Informs us that this elegant little Duck breeds sometimes in Norfolk, and that 
“ broods are often found upon the broads in July and August. They generally appear in March, whence 
their name of Summer Teal. I have seen the immature bird in August; on comparing it with two young 
Teal, killed on the same day, it was easily distinguished by the greater length of its neck, more slender habit 
in general, and the lighter colour of the plumage. A friend received a pair alive, in March 1822, from the 
Winterton decoy, the female of which deposited an egg in the basket during her journey. The Garganey is 
very rarely seen in severe weather ; indeed I cannot recollect a single Instance. Great numbers are bred in 
confinement in Holland. According to the following observation, taken from Girdlestone’s ‘ Memoranda,’ 
the nest of this Duck is rarely found ; — ‘ Garganey breed often in Norfolk ; but as they deposit their eggs in 
the most inaccessible reed-beds, their nests are never discovered, although the young birds, yet unable to 
fly, are often seen. They usually appear on the broads in March, and those which do not intend to breed 
here depart about the end of April.’ ” 
Referring to this passage, Mr. Alfred Newton writes to me ; — “ Since Mr. Girdlestone’s time the nests 
have been often found. I have several eggs from Hoveton Broad, where it breeds annually, and I believ^e 
that a considerable number of birds of this species are always found among the ‘ flappers ’ which are shot in 
July.” 
