Anatid®. BIRDS. Anatid®. cxcvii 
I'lie Pintail is especially fond of river and inland 
imitated by the sportsman. 'I'he flesh is considered 
waters. It is an early visitor, reacliin^ the northern 
excellent. It is thought by sportsmen that the Wid- 
boundary in September, with the 'I’eal. Pew of our 
geon might easily be domesticated. It breeds in 
water-fowl are so attractive, both in figure and color- 
abundance in Dakota and Montana, and Audubon 
ation. 'I'lie slender neck, graceful curve of body, and 
discovered it breeding in 'I’exas. It is found as far 
peculiar tapering of the tail-feathers give it features 
south as Guatemala. 'I’he length is twenty-two 
of extreme beauty, while the curious pencilling of tlie 
inches, and extent of wing thirty. 
plumage is suri)assingly pretty, reminding one of the 
GREEN-WINGED TEAL [Querquedula carolinen- 
markings on the gorgeous pinions of the Argus 
sis). — Inhabits the whole of the United States, 
Pheasant. It has the reputation of being very shy 
Greenland, Mexico and Cuba, and south as far as 
and cautious. Dr. Ooues testifies to its breeding in 
Honduras. It breeds from the nortliern border of 
Montana, though it breeds largely in much higher 
the United States northward. It associates with 
latitudes. Hybrids of this with the Mallard are said 
the Mallard, flying in small flocks, and is essentially 
to be of frequent occurrence. It is common in our 
a fresh-water bird, being very abundant along the 
markets in the season, and is much esteemed. It 
marshes of the Southern Atlantic States. Its flesh 
obtains its food without diving, feeding on the small 
is prized highly. Length, fifteen inches; extent of 
mollusca of the flats. It is noisy and chattering in 
wing, twenty-four. 
habit. Unlike some others of the tribe, when alarmed 
BLUE- WINGED TEAL {Querquedula dlscora)— 
it seeks the company of its fellows, and they rise 
Plate VHI, fig. xviii.— Is found in most parts of 
confusedly in a body, offering the best possible 
North America, though chiefly east of the Rocky 
chance for the sportsman. About the middle of 
jMountains. It is on tlie Pacific Coast as far as 
March they leave the Delaware for the North, fi’he 
Alaska; in Mexico and the West Indies, Central 
Pintail is twenty-six inches in length, and two feet 
and South America and Ecuador. Wilson says that 
ten inches in extent of wing. 'I’he female differs 
this bird is the first of its tribe that returns from the 
somewhat in the coloration from its mate. 
breeding-places in the north, usually showing itself 
GADWALL [Chaulelasmiis streperus). — Called also 
early in September along the shores of the Delaware, 
Gray Duck. This species breeds in various parts of 
where it sits on the mud close to the edge of the 
the United States, but does not seem to reach the 
water. Its flight is rapid, and when it alights, drops 
extreme northern portions of the continent, like oth- 
down suddenly, like the Snipe or Woodcock, among 
ers of its tribe. Mr. Dali mentions it as found at 
the reeds or on the mud. It becomes very fat from 
Alaska, and Audubon saw it in Texas. Dr. Cones 
feeding on the succulent plants among the reeds, at 
found its eggs in California. He also found it 
which time it is of excellent flavor. At times it is 
“quite common in Dakota in September, in company 
numerous on the Hudson, opposite the Catskill 
with Mallards, Teal and Widgeon ; with unfledged 
^Mountains. 'I’his species measures fourteen inches 
young late in August.” Wilson knew nothing of its 
in length and twenty-two in extent of wing. 'I’he 
particular manners or breeding-place. He says: 
speculum or beauty-spot, so-called, is of a brilliant 
“ 'J’he flesh is excellent, and the windpipe of the male 
metallic green, giving rise to the specific name. 
is furnislied with a large labyrinth. It is very rare 
CINNAMON-BREASTED TEAL [Querquedula cyan- 
in the northern parts of the United States ; is said 
optera). — 'I’his 'I’eal is an inhabitant of South Amer- 
to iidiabit England in winter, and to migrate to Swe- 
ica, and in North America between the Rocky Moun- 
den, Russia and Siberia.” This Duck is remarkable 
tains and the Pacific, as far north as the Columbia, 
for presenting, next to the Shoveller, the greatest 
River; also in Louisiana and Florida. Prof. Baird 
development of lateral lamina of the bill. It is 
observed, in 1852, that “this beautiful species is now 
also an expert diver. It utters a note similar to 
for the second time presented as an inhabitant of 
that of the Mallard, but louder ; is fond of rush- 
North America. * * * It appears to be a com- 
grown ponds, feeding throughout the day, as well 
mon bird in Utah.” 
as morning and evening. The length of this bird 
SHOVELLER [Spatula clypeata) — Plate 30, fig. 
is twenty inches ; extent of wing, thirty-one inches ; 
113. — ^Called also the Spoon-bill, from its peculiar- 
bill is two inches, formed much like that of tlie 
siiaped bill. Is found in North America generally. 
Mallard. 
Europe, Asia, and in Australia. It breeds from 'I’ex- 
THE AMERICAN WIDGEON [Mareca americana). 
as to Alaska, and winters from the Middle States 
■ — Called also the Bald-pate. Common along the 
southward to Guatemala. S. platalea, a nearly-allied 
Atlantic Coast as far north as Rhode Island. It is 
species, is found in South America. 'I’he Shoveller 
a constant attendant on the Canvas-back, and is 
is abundant in all parts of the Western States. It 
consequently found plentifully in Chesapeake Bay, 
is a beautifully marked bird, and is much prized as 
the favorite resort for the latter bird. It is said that 
food. It seldom visits the sea-coast, being more 
the Widgeon never dives, yet is extremely fond of 
fond of the interior lakes and rivers, especially along 
the tender roots of the aquatic plant upon which the 
the muddy shores, where it finds the larvm of insects. 
Canvas-back feeds. Watching his neighbor, who is 
'I’he fine teeth of its bill serve to filter the muddy 
a good diver, the Widgeon snatches away a portion 
water in which it searches for food. 'I’he Shoveller 
of the plant, giving rise, of course, to a continual 
is twenty inches long, and two feet six inches in ex- 
quarrel. It feeds mostly in the evening, when it 
tent. 'I’he bill is three inches in length, and greatly 
utters a peculiar whistle — a soft note, which is easily 
widened at its extremity. It is closely pectinated on 
