Ornithological biography, Vol. 4 (of 5) : $b An account of the habits of the birds of the United States of AmericaAudubon, John James
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Ornithological biography, Vol. 4 (of 5) : $b An account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America
Audubon, John James
Birds -- North America
During the months of September and October, this species is plentiful
on the Ohio, and in the whole of the Western Country, through which
they pass again in April, but without tarrying. On the other hand, they
seem to prolong their stay at this season in our Eastern Districts
more than in autumn; and this is also the case in South Carolina,
as I learn from the observations of my friend JOHN BACHMAN, who has
seen them mated there as early as February. I have found them in the
Boston markets on the 8th of September, but it is very rare to see
any of them there in full spring dress. I saw or heard of none when I
was in Labrador and Newfoundland; from which it may be inferred that
those found in the Fur Countries reach them through the interior. They
also occur on the Columbia River. On the 21st of March 1821, I saw
many Blue-winged Teals copulating on the Mississippi, a little below
Natchez; yet none of these birds have been known to breed in that
section of the country. They were at the time mentioned on a sand-bar
in company with some American Widgeons, which also were similarly
employed.
The flight of the Blue-winged Teal is extremely rapid and well
sustained. Indeed, I have thought that, when travelling, it passes
through the air with a speed equal to that of the Passenger Pigeon.
When flying in flocks in clear sunny weather, the blue of their wings
glistens like polished steel, so as to give them the most lively
appearance; and while they are wheeling over the places in which
they intend to alight, their wings being alternately thrown in the
shade and exposed to the bright light, the glowing and varied lustre
thus produced, at whatever distance they may be, draws your eyes
involuntarily towards them. When advancing against a stiff breeze, they
alternately shew their upper and lower surfaces, and you are struck by
the vivid steel-blue of their mantle, which resembles the dancing light
of a piece of glass suddenly reflected on a distant object. During
their flight, they almost constantly emit their soft lisping note,
which they also utter when alighted and under apprehension of danger.
I have never observed them travelling in company with other ducks, but
have seen them at times passing over the sea at a considerable distance
from land. Before alighting, and almost under any circumstances, and
in any locality, these Teals pass and repass several times over the
place, as if to assure themselves of the absence of danger, or, should
there be cause of apprehension, to watch until it is over. They swim
buoyantly, and generally in a close body, at times nearly touching
each other. Indeed, during their first appearance in autumn, when you
are apt to meet with a flock entirely composed of young birds, you
may, by using a little care, kill a considerable number at one shot. I
was assured by a gunner residing at New Orleans, that as many as one
hundred and twenty had been killed by himself at a single discharge;
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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