(Anas carolinensis)
The green-winged teal is another variety that is very plentiful on the
Coast, breeding in great numbers on our mountain lakes and along the
streams from Mexico to Alaska, and even to considerable extent on the
lower marshes, especially from central California north. While many of
these are killed on the salt marshes and tide lands, they are more
generally frequenters of the inland ponds and overflows. Nesting late
and maturing early, they are both a late and early duck on our
shooting grounds, and remain constantly with us during the whole
winter. Shooting on a pass over which the teal are flying from one
pond to another furnishes about the finest sport of the duck shooter's
life. In such cases they come in small flocks, and single birds must
be selected; being a small mark and very rapid flyers they require a
good lead and quick work. In fact, a brace of green-winged teal with a
pressing engagement at the next pond makes about as pretty a target as
the sportsman often fires at.
The green-winged teal, like the widgeon, feeds a great deal on the
plains and in the fields.
=Color=--Male--Top of head and neck, brown of a chestnut tinge, the
feathers forming almost a crest; a broad stripe of green runs back
from the eye to the neck; back and sides, mottled gray; breast, buff,
shaded to white on the abdomen and spotted with black; speculum,
green.
Female--The top of the head of the female is a rusty brown, and with a
very faint stripe on the sides; upper parts, gray, spotted with black;
speculum, green.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nest of the green-winged teal is generally a
little more carefully made than most of the ground nesting ducks. The
eggs average about ten and are of a light brownish buff.
=Measurements=--The green-winged teal is the smallest of the
fresh-water ducks. Total length, about 14 inches; wing, 7-1/4; bill,
1-1/4 inches.
[Illustration: CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)]