SLENDER OR GREY TEAL. 
especially after a heavy rainfall. They are exceedingly tame and easy to 
approach before disturbed by too much shooting.” 
T. P. Austin {loc. cit.) noted : “ The Grey Teal {Nettion gibberifrons) 
is probably the most common of all Ducks ; it is usually found in large 
flocks and is tolerably tame. Their call-note when flying is usually a 
cackling squawk, but when swimming it is a single note, which is more of 
a squeak uttered at intervals of a few minutes. They are moderately fast 
fliers, but as a rule do not fly as fast as some of the other Ducks.” 
In the same place Keartland’s notes are : “ The Common Teal {Nettion 
gibberifrons) may be found in all parts of Australia. It matters little 
whether the water is fresh or salt, the Teal is equally at home in fresh- 
water creeks, lagoons, rivers, and swamps, or on the seacoast and salt 
lakes.” 
At my suggestion Captain S. A. White has written a note on the 
relationships of this and the preceding species in the South Australian 
Ornithologist, Vol. I., pp. 11-12, 1914, which is here reprinted in extenso : 
“ A discussion arose lately about these birds, and I was surprised to hear 
that some were still under the impression that they were but one species, 
and that the grey birds were the same as the Chestnut, only out of 
plumage or immature. Furthermore, I have been requested to express my 
opinion on the subject through the pages of this journal. I may state 
that there is not a shadow of doubt in my mind about their being two 
distinct species and good ones at that. My remarks are those of a field 
ornithologist. I leave the osteology of these birds to more able minds. 
Firstly, the Eastern Teal, Mountain Teal, or Chestnut-breasted Teal, 
whatever you like to call it in the vernacular, known to science as Virago 
castanea {Mareca castanea Eyton, Monograph Anat., p. 119, 1838, N.S.W.) 
and described by John Gould as Anas punctata {Birds of Australia, Vol. 
VII., pt. II., 1845), is a heavier bird than the grey species, and not nearly 
so common. One could safely say, as far as South Australian water4 are 
concerned, that for every one of the Chestnut species one would see a 
hundred or more of the grey birds. It is true a few birds may be seen 
mixed up with the vast flocks of Grey Teal, but this I have always put 
down to the fact of their having been driven ofl from their kind and their 
haunts by sportsmen and other factors, and for the time have attached , 
themselves to the ranks of their grey cousins. This I think I can prove 
later on. 
F. castanea is a beautiful bird in full plumage, especially the male 
bird, the bronzy-green head and neck shining in the bright sunlight with 
great brilliance. The female always shows the rufous tinge more or less 
VOL. IV. 
105 
