GARGANEY or SUMMER TEAL.
ANA S CIRCIA, Linn.
Anas circia, Linn. S.N. i. p. 204 (1766).
Anas querquedula, Linn. S. N. i. p. 203 ; Naum. xi. p. 677 ;
Hewitson, ii. p. 409.
Querquedula circia, Macg. v. p. 55 ; Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 393 ;
Dresser, vi. p. 513.
Sarcelle d’été, French ; Knack-Ente, German ; Cerceta,
Carrafiaca, Spanish.
The Garganey visits England in small numbers in
the early spring, and remains to breed in certain favourable
localities in Norfolk and elsewhere, but cannot be
considered abundant in any part of the country. I
never met with this species in any part of Europe
during the winter months, but it is exceedingly common
on the vernal migration on the eastern shores of the
Adriatic, and in Sicily. In Andalucia it is not very
common, but well-known, and I have received a nest
and eggs with one of the parent birds from the marisma
of the Guadalquivir.
The call-note of the Garganey is a harsh guttural
rattle, which, if once heard, cannot be mistaken, and
distantly-resembles the croak of the Ptarmigan. In
my opinion the flesh of this bird is remarkably nasty,
but I never had an opportunity of tasting it in the
winter.
G A RG A N EY , O R SUM M E R T E A L
Anas circia, Linn.