GREEN-WINGED TEAL. 
107 
below by a fine line of brownish white, the plumage of the nape 
ends in a kind of pendent crest of a deep shining purplish black ; 
chin blackish ; below the chestnut, the neck, for three quarters of 
an inch, is white, beautifully crossed with circular undulating lines 
of black ; back, scapulars, and sides of the breast, white, thickly 
crossed in the same manner ; breast elegantly marked with round- 
ish or heart-shaped spots of black on a pale vinaceous ground, va- 
riegated with lighter tints ; belly white ; lower part of the vent 
feathers black ; sides under the wings, pale reddish cream ; the 
plumage of a fine silky texture, and superbly marked witli undulat- 
ing lines of ash and white ; lesser wing-coverts brown ash, greater 
tipt with reddish cream ; the first five secondaries deep velvetty 
black, the next five resplendent green, forming the speculum or 
beauty spot, which is bounded above by pale buff, below by white, 
and on each side by deep black ; primaries ashy brown ; tail point- 
ed, eighteen feathers, dark drab ; legs and feet flesh colored. In 
some a few circular touches of white appear on the breast, near 
the shoulder of the wing. The windpipe has a small bony laby- 
rinth where it separates into the lungs ; the intestines measure 
three feet six inches, and are very small and tender. In some spe- 
cimens the legs and feet are pale ash. 
The female wants the chestnut bay on the head, and the band 
of rich green through the eye, these parts being dusky white speck- 
led with black ; the breast is gray brown, thickly sprinkled with 
blackish, or dark brown ; the back dark brown, waved with broad 
lines of brownish white ; wing nearly the same as in the male. 
This species is said to breed at Hudson’s bay, and to have 
from five to seven young at a time.* In France it remains through- 
out the year, and builds in April, among the rushes on the edges 
of ponds. It has been lately discovered to breed also in England, 
in the mosses about Carlisle.’)" It is not known to breed in any 
part of the United States. 
* Latham. 
t Bewick. 
