with feathers, on
the ground in marshes. They lay from six to twelve creamy eggs. Size
2.15 x 1.50. Data.--Lac Aux Morts, North Dakota. Eight eggs. Nest of
grass and down on ground in a grassy meadow. Collector, E. S. Bryant.

138. EUROPEAN TEAL. _Nettion crecca._

An old world species that is casually found on both coasts of America.

139. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. _Nettion carolinense._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding chiefly north of the United
States.

A small, handsome species, the male of which can readily be identified
by the reddish brown head and neck, with the large green patch behind
each ear; length fourteen inches. Green-winged Teals are our smallest
representative of the Duck family. They are eagerly sought by sportsmen,
both because of their beauty and the excellence of their flesh. They are
among the most common of Ducks in the interior, where they nest
generally in tufts of grass along ponds, lakes or brooks. Nest of grass
and weeds, lined with down from the bird. Eggs buffy, four to ten in
number. Size 1.85 x 1.25.

[Illustration 094: Creamy white.]
[Illustration: Baldpate. Green-winged Teal.]
[Illustration: Buff.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 93

140. BLUE-WINGED TEAL. _Querquedula discors_.

Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward;
rare on the Pacific coast.

Another small species, known by the blue wing coverts and the white
crescent in front of eye. They nest in the same localities with the
preceding species, placing their nest of grass and weeds on the ground
in meadows near water. Eggs buffy white. Six to twelve in number. Size
1.90 x 1.30.

141. CINNAMON TEAL. _Querquedula cyanoptera_.

Range.--Western United States, chiefly west of the Rocky Mountains.
Casually east to Texas, Illinois and British Columbia.

The Cinnamon Teal is another small Duck, marked by the uniform rich
chestnut plumage and light blue wing coverts. The speculum is green. The
nesting habits are the same as those of the Teals, the nests being
placed on the ground in marshes or fields near water. Their nests are
closely woven of grass and weeds and lined with down and feathers from
the breast of the bird. The eggs are pale buff and number from six to
fourteen. Size 1.85 x 1.35.

141.1. RUDDY SHELDRAKE. _Casarca ferruginea._

This is an Old World species that has accidentally occurred in
Greenland.

[Illustration 095: Blue-winged Teal. Cinnamon Teal.]
[