This is the smallest of our native species of Duck, and is fairly common throughout our islands at all times of the year, but its numbers are largely augmented in winter by the arrival of vast flocks from abroad. It may be found in winter near the mouths of rivers and shallow estuaries as well as inland; its food consists of grain, insects, worms, slugs, and molluscs. It breeds throughout our islands, but more abundantly in the north. The nest is generally placed at some distance from water on a dry moorland or rough grass-field, and this species makes a rough nest of leaves and grass, lined with down. The eggs, eight to ten in number, are creamy white. The male has the crown, nape, cheeks, and throat chestnut; an elongated patch of purplish green behind the eye, the rest of the upper parts vermiculated with black and white except the rump and tail coverts, which are black. Under parts white, the lower part of the neck and breast being spotted and sometimes of a yellowish tinge; flanks vermiculated with black. Speculum green and purplish black. Bill black, legs brownish grey. The female is mottled with brown and buff. The young resemble the female. The male in his eclipse dress, which is worn till late in October or November, resembles the female very closely, more so in fact than is the case with any other species. Length 14·5; wing 7·25 in. THE AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL Nettion carolinense (J. F. Gmelin) This species has only occurred three or four times in these islands. The male differs from the Common Teal in having some greyish vermiculated feathers on either side of the breast, and the buffish white lines on the face are very slightly defined. The female cannot be distinguished from our native species. Length 16 in.; wing 7·25 in. THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL Querquedula discors (Linnæus) This American species has been taken at least once in the United Kingdom. The male has the throat, forehead, and crown dark lead colour, and _a long crescentic patch of white_ in front of the eye. Cheeks and neck dull lavender grey. Length 16 in.; wing 7·25 in. THE GARGANEY Querquedula circia (Linnæus) This is one of our scarcest species, coming to us as a summer immigrant from April to September, and remaining in a few suitable spots to breed. It is commonest in Norfolk, and may also be found in Hants, Kent, Suffolk, and Yorkshire. Elsewhere its occurrences are rare and only consist of stragglers on migration. It breeds regularly on the Continent from Sweden southwards, becoming commoner in the east. The nest is usually placed in a dry and often open situation, where there is but little cover. The eggs resemble those of the Teal, but are rather greener in tint.