242 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
3. Chestnut Teal Querquedula castanea Eyton 
cas-tan'-e-a— L., castaneus, chestnut. 
distribution. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, south 
and mid-western Australia, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Chestnut-breasted Teal, Green-headed Teal, 
Black Teal, Mountain Teal, and Tete. Usually in small flocks, often 
in the company of the Grey Teal, frequenting salt-water lakes, inlets, 
and swamps, as well as inland streams and lagoons. It is similar in 
habits and economy to the Grey Teal. 
nest. In a hollow limb or hole in a tree, but occasionally on the 
ground in grass or herbage in the vicinity of water; lined with down. 
eggs. Nine to thirteen, cream-coloured (unless nest-stained), the 
surface being glossy and greasy. Breeding-season: June to December. 
4. Garganey Teal Querquedula querquedula Linn£ 
quer-qued'-u-la— N.L., querquedula, duck. 
distribution. Northern Europe, Asia, tropical Africa to New 
Guinea; accidental to Australia. 
notes. Also called Summer Teal and Cricket Teal. There are only 
three records of the occurrence of this species in Australia, the speci¬ 
mens being secured in Victoria. The female diflers from the adult 
male chiefly by the absence of the chocolate-brown on the sides of the 
face and foreneck, the dark brown spot on the chin (this part being 
white), the ornamental feathers on the scapulars, and the fine barring 
on the lower abdomen. 
nest. A depression in the ground among grass or herbage, lined 
with grass and down. 
eggs. Eight to fourteen, buffish-white or cream-coloured (unless 
nest-stained), the surface being smooth and glossy. Not known to breed 
in Australia. 
5. Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis Gould 
Ox-y-ur'-a— Gk, oxys , sharp; Gk, oura, tail: australis— southern (Aus¬ 
tralian). 
distribution. Southern Australia (from Moora, Western Australia, 
to Chinchilla, Queensland) and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Spiny-tailed Duck, Stiff-tailed Duck, Diving Duck, 
Musk Duck. Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting 
chiefly lakes, lagoons, or swamps. It is a shy and wary bird; generally 
keeps to the deep reaches and pools or to the small islands of reeds and 
flags, growing well away from the margins of lakes or swamps. Most 
•j ltS ii° 0C * * S - P rocure d by diving; it remains under water for con¬ 
siderable periods. Food: aquatic animals and plants. The female is 
freckled grey-brown, the under-parts being lighter than those of the 
male. 
nest. A bulky structure, composed of flags or reeds, and lined with 
down. The nest is made by bending down and interlacing the flags. 
