2 GARGANEY.
paces. The road on which UkOM young ducks were met with was at least a mile from any rush-marsh or other
suitable locality where a Gargnney might have been supposed to nesl, and was bordered on cither side by
cultivated fields. A large pollard oak was overhanging tbo spot where the birds were first observed ; and as it
ha~ lieen stated that Wildfowl have occasionally been known to breed in the shelter to he obtained where the
branches have been cut, I carefully examined the whole of the crown of the tang, but not the slightest signs of
the young having been there oould be detected. It is probable that the old bird was taking her newly hatched
brood down towards the ltroad, but where her nest could hare been, unless in some dry hedgerow, it is
impossible to form an opinion. When first brought in the young birds were extremely lively, and on being
placed in a box, about eighteen or twenty inches in height, lined with flannel, two or three made their escape,
climbing up the side with the greatest rapidity, by aid of their sharp little claws, and commencing to catch tlies
on the panes or glass in the window. A few hours after they had been taken the youngsters appeared to grow
gradually weaker and become more helpless, finally- gasping for breath, and though the greatest care and
attention was bestowed on them, none survived the day.
There is little difference in the colouring of the down on the nestlings of the Uarganey and Common Teal,
both exhibiting much the same yellow tinge, with dark brown markings. The colours of the soft parts of the
young of this species may be described as follows, the notes being taken while the birds were alive:—Upper
mandible dark brown, nail red-brown, under mandible flesh tint ; inside of mouth pale tlesh ; iris hazel; legs
dark brown, a light line outside ICLf and at the side of each toe, nails a dull brown.
In 1875 I noticed several broods of Garganey were strong on wing by the end of the first week in July,
numbers coming every day to feed about the pools in the reed-hushes at lliekling Broad and alfording capital
sport if a few were required. In the state of plumage exhibited at this season immature QARGAAAJA have more
than once l)cen mistaken for the Isluc-winged Teal, and, considering that the juveniles have never been figured
by any author, the error is certainly excusable in those who have never nut with a chance of observing them
in life. The colours of the soft parts of those shot at this time were as follows :—Upper and lower mandibles a
dull smoky blue; legs, toes, and webs of feet the same tint ; iris hazel.