118 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
u The young birds are similar to the female, but paler, and 
without the speculum.”— Audubon's Birds of America. 
“ 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 Dela¬ 
ware, 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 bateau 
ashore at some distance above or below them, and, getting out, 
pushes her before him over the slippery mud, concealing him¬ 
self 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 vegeta¬ 
ble 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, they become 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 rice fields 
of the Southern States, where vast numbers are taken in traps, 
placed on small dry eminences, that here and there rise above 
the water. These places are strewed with rice, and by the 
common contrivance called a figure four they are caught alive 
in hollow traps. In the month of April they pass through Penn¬ 
sylvania for the North, but make little stay at that season. I 
have observed them numerous on the Hudson, opposite to the 
Katskill Mountains. They rarely visit the sea shore .”—Wil 
son's Am. Ornithology. 
The Blue-Winged Teal is stated to be very easily tan .ed, and 
very docile in confinement. It is strange that this bird find the 
Wood Duck are not both domesticated. 
