SLENDER OR GREY TEAL. 
Gould’s account, noted by Capt. White above, had better be here 
transcribed. “ The Anas punctata is universally diffused over the southern 
portion of Australia ; it is also equally numerous in some parts of 
Tasmania. It is not migratory, but may be met with during every 
month of the year. . . . Like the Wild Duck and Teal of Europe, this 
bird inhabits rivers, brooks, lagoons, and ponds, both inland and near 
the sea. It is a true grass-feeder, and is one of the best Ducks for the 
table found in the country. When surprised it rises quickly, but is less 
active than the European Teal ; it is, however, a bird of powerful flight. 
I frequently met with it in vast flocks while ascending the little-visited 
rivers of the southern part of Tasmania, particularly those which empty 
themselves into Recherche Bay. In these retired and solitary retreats 
it is much more tame than in frequented situations, and never failed to 
fly down the rivers over our heads as we ascended ; a measure which, 
although at the first view it appears to be that of flying into the danger 
it wished to avoid, was in fact the readiest means of escaping ; for had 
it taken the opposite course it would have required great exertion to 
surmount the impenetrable forest of high trees, rising perpendicularly 
from the water’s edge, in which these short and sluggish rivers usually 
terminate. It is very rare that the male is killed in the nuptial dress, 
and I am induced to believe that it is not assumed until the bird is two 
or three years old ; after the breeding-season the sexes are alike in plumage, 
and for at least nine months of the year there is no difference in their outward 
appearance. . . . There appear to be two very distinct races of this bird, 
one of which is much larger than the other ; so great in fact is the difference 
in this respect in specimens from various parts of the country, that the idea 
presents itself of their being reaUy distinct species. The smaller race 
inhabits Tasmania, the larger the western and southern portions of Australia.” 
This note is the first indication or suggestion of the presence of two 
species of Teal in Australia. In 1869, BuUer described as a new , species 
under the name Anas gracilis a small bird procured in New Zealand. 
It was immediately pointed out that this was probably the same bird 
described from Celebes in 1842 by S. Muller as Anas gihberifrons, and 
also that the same bird occurred in Australia ; other authorities contended 
it was the immature or female of Anas castanea (Eyton). 
When Ramsay drew up his List of Australian Birds {Proc. Linn. Soc. 
N.S.W., Vol. II., 1877) he only admitted one form on p. 200, as Anas 
(Virago) castanea. On p. 209 he, however, gave the following note 
"'Anas gihberifrons. I have never met with this species, although said 
to have been obtained both in North and South Australia,* which I think 
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