the Blue-winged or Garganey Teal is, perhaps, still more abundant in India than
ie - g argane|

Dr. Jerdon states that “ |
It occurs in vast flocks, feeding at nigh
Tealeries, and, like the Teal, are most excellent food. Vast

lens Teal t chiefly, and has a swift flight. Numbers are
the Wommon eal. J
our

caught and fed throughout the summer |
quantities of both these birds are annually caught alive, some by large flap-nets, others by nooses fixed to
a long line across a jheel, and in some places by a man wading with his head above water, concealed in a
a long > § SS a. 4 ) :
laree earthern chatty, several of which have been previously set afloat.

The Gareaney becomes tolerably contented in confinement, but is very sensitive to the cold of our climate :

were this not the case, I know of no aquatic bird so well adapted to the ornamental water, or that would

contribute more to the pleasure of those admirers of the Duck tribe who may be desirous of keeping some
of the species in a semidomesticated state.

The male Garganey, being subject to the same changes of plumage as the Teal, throws off about mid-
aammer the fine een in which he is decked in spring, and assumes a more sombre dress, somewhat
resembling that of the female, in which state he remains until the ensuing spring, when he is again stimu-
lated to pair and perform the duty of incubation.

The nest is said to be formed of dry grass, and placed in a bunch of reeds. The eggs, which are ten or
twelve in number, are of a buff colour, one inch and nine lines in length by one inch and three lines in
breadth.

The following is a free translation of some passages respecting the Garganey from M. Bailly’s ‘ Ornitho-
logie de la Savoie :’-—

“The Garganey arrives in Savoy during the month of March and the early part of April, in pairs or
small companies, which stay on our waters and marshes for a few days only, being stimulated to proceed to
the North of Europe for the purpose of reproduction ; but occasionally some couples remain and breed in
our dreariest marshes. There they select, in a miry place, an inaccessible spot, raised above the water
and covered with compact tufts of rushes and grass, for the formation of the nest, which is made by the
female thrusting herself into one of the thickest of these tufts, treading it down in the centre, and lining
the space with herbage, feathers, and down. It is extremely difficult to discover the nest, in consequence of
the grasses overhanging it, and the stalks of the rushes concealing the entrance. The eggs are from seven to
twelve in number, and are of a dirty white, lightly tinted with red. Each family keeps to itself till the end of
August or the beginning of September, when those reared in the same district unite and emigrate. During this
autumnal movement, the bird passes through our valleys, but always in smaller numbers than in the spring,
none remaining during the winter. Although timid, the Garganey is easily approached, is elegant in

contour and plumage, vivacious in its movements both in the air and on the water, flies in troops, and,

while so doing, is seen to sport and play in a thousand ways, and to emit its cry, which is very similar to

that of the Land-Rail, which resembles kree-kree or kric-kric, and is often repeated in the same tone, whence
its trivial names of Criquet and Criquart.”

The Plate represents a male, of the natural size, and a group of both sexes, reduced. The plant is the

Nuphar lute a