THE BIRDS OP AUSTRALIA. 
heads and necks. One of a pair shot on the Pallenup River on Sept. 27, 
1910, was a male with green head and neck. The other bird which had 
not a green head escaped. I take this species to be quite distinct from 
N. gihherifrons.^' 
A. G. Campbell {loc. cit.) : “ This and the preceding species {Anas 
superciliosa) find much of their food in the kelp on the seashore, and in 
the shallow water among rocks. They also frequent inland lagoons in 
company with the other swimmers enumerated, all of which nest on the 
island (King Island).” 
North {Austr, Mus. Spec. Cat.y no. 1, Vol. IV., p. 77, 1913) 
concluded : “ Essentially it is a coastal species, frequenting salt-water 
lakes and arms of the sea more than inland rivers and lagoons, the 
latter of which are the favourite haunts of its lesser congener, the 
Slender or Grey Teal {Nettion gihberifrons). Often the two species may be 
met with associated together in one large flock near the coast.” 
In the same place Mr. George Savidge’s notes read : “ The Chestnut- 
breasted Teal {Anas castanea) was fairly plentifully dispersed about the 
large swamp on the Lower Clarence River District ; the open water and 
river courses do not seem to attract it so much as purely swamp country. 
It is a powerful flier, and looks much larger on the wing than when 
examined in one’s hand : the flesh is tender and excellent eating.” 
Again, Keartland contributed to the same work : “ The Chestnut- 
breasted Teal {Nettion castaneum) is usually found in small flocks or 
pairs, but are not very numerous anywhere. They prefer fresh water 
lagoons or rivers. I have seen a few at King’s Island and also at 
Heidelberg, Victoria. Some time ago I was anxious to ascertain the 
difference in weight between these birds and the Common Teal {Nettion 
gihberifrons). The Chestnut-breasted Teal averaged three pounds one 
ounce per pair, whilst the others only averaged two pounds three ounces. 
I weighed ten pairs of each species. Gould was in error when he 
described this bird as the Common Teal in its nuptial dress. When once 
it assumes its gay livery it never changes back to the sombre garb again. 
The female is about the same weight as the male, but is somewhat 
darker in colour than the Common Teal.” 
Dr. Lonsdale Holden’s notes are printed by North {loc. cit.) : “ On 
the 9th September, 1886, I saw about a dozen drakes of Anas castanea 
in fine plumage, and two or three ducks of the same species, in a swamp 
on Circular Head Peninsula (Tasmania), and approached them within 
fifteen yards. The drakes have lustrous green heads and necks, and 
a conspicuous white mark on the upper wing-coverts : the ducks are 
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