SPECIES 11 . AN^S DISCORS. 
BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 
[Plate LXVIIL— Fig. 4, Ma/e.] 
La Sarcelle d^'Jlmerique, Biuss. vi, p. 452. 35. — Buff, ix, p. 279. 
— Pl.Enl. 966. — Catfish. i,pl. 100. — While faced Duck, Lath. 
Syn. iii,p. 502. — Jirct. Zool. dVo. 503 . — Peale’s Jl/Msewm, a/Vo. 
2846.* 
The Blue winged Teal is the first of its tribe that returns to 
us in the autumn from its breeding place in the north. They 
are usually seen early in September, along the shores of the 
Delaware, where they sit on the mud close to the edge of the 
water, so crowded together that the gunners often kill great 
numbers at a single discharge. When a flock is discovered thus 
sitting and sunning themselves, the experienced gunner runs 
his batteau ashore at some distance below or above them, and 
getting out, pushes her before him over the slippery mud, con- 
cealing himself all the while behind her; by this method he can 
sometimes approach within twenty yards of the flock, among 
which he generally makes great slaughter. They fly rapidly, 
and when they alight drop down suddenly like the Snipe or 
Woodcock, among the reeds or on the mud. They feed chiefly 
on vegetable food, and are eagerly fond of the seeds of the reeds 
or wild oats. Their flesh is excellent; and after their residence 
for a short time among the reeds, becomes very fat. As the 
first frosts come on, they proceed to the south, being a delicate 
bird, very susceptible of cold. They abound in the inundated 
* .^nas discors, Gmel. Syst. p. 535, No. 37. — Lath. Ind. Otn. p. 854, «A'o. 55. 
— Biue-mnged Teal-, Catesh. pi. 99. female. — La Sarcelle de Virghne, Biiiss. 
VI, p. 455, J^o. 36. — La Sarcelle Soucrourou, Buff, ix, p, 279. — PI- Eiil. 
403, female. 
