220 GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
others of the same kind had been before. Pigeons, Starlings, Robins,
and other land-birds are often observed to do so ; while Curlews, Cormorants,
Plovers, Ducks and Geese, are similar in this respect. The first
object in view with such species is to remove from one part of the country
to another, as every one knows ; and as to reach a place of safety abundantly
supplied with food, is the next object, you may perhaps join me in
concluding, that, to the spot or district in which birds have once been
and spent a season, they are ever afterwards inclined to return. Well,
the Green-wings are known to follow each other in flocks, sometimes consisting
of a few families, sometimes of many hundred individuals, particularly
in autumn, when old and young leave the north to avoid the
rigours of its dreary winter. In spring, again, many species both of land
and water birds perform their migrations, either singly or in smaller
groups, the males departing before the females, and in some cases the
young keeping by themselves, an arrangement perhaps intended for the
greater dispersion of the species.
In Louisiana, the Green-winged Teal is named Sarcelle d'hiver, while
the Blue-winged species bears the name of Sarcelle d'été, although the latter
remains only some weeks in that country after the departure of the
former. Its general name, however, is the " Green-wing ;"" and a poor
name in my opinion it is, for the bird has not more green on its wings
than several other species have. Indeed, very many birds are strangely
named, not less in pure Latin, than in English, French, and Dutch ; and
very many are every year receiving names still stranger than those they
bore. For my part, I am at present a kind of conservative, and adhere
to the old system until I see the mud raised up by the waders subside,
when I may probe my way with more chance of success.
The Green-winged Teal is a fresh-water bird, being rarely met with
in marine bays, creeks, or lagoons, where, however, it may sometimes
spend a few days. It is accordingly enabled to feed with its body halfimmersed,
in the manner of the Mallard and several other species, for
which purpose it is furnished with a comparatively long neck. Its food
consists principally of the seeds of grasses, which are collected either when
floating or when still adhering to their stalks, small acorns, fallen grapes
or berries, as well as aquatic insects, worms, and small snails. I have
never found water lizards, leeches, fishes, or even tadpoles in their gizzards.
The food of this bird being thus more select than that of most
other Ducks, its flesh is delicious, probably the best of any of its tribe ;
GREEN-WINGED TEAL. 221
and I would readily agree with any epicure in saying, that when it has
fed on wild oats at Green Bay, or on soaked rice in the fields of Georgia
and the Carolinas, for a few weeks after its arrival in those countries, it
is much superior to the Canvass-back in tenderness, juiciness, and flavour.
Indeed, the Green-wing is as 'much superior to the Canvass-back, as the
European Quail is to the Capercailie, or the Sora of the Delaware to the
Scolopaceous Curlew of the Florida Ever Glades.
On land, the Green-wing moves with more ease and grace than any
other species with which I am acquainted, excepting bur beautiful Wood
Duck. It can run at a good rate, without entangling its webbed feet, as
many others do; and in this, too, there is a marked difference between
fresh-water and salt-water Ducks, as one may very readily perceive. On
the water, also, it moves with great ease, at times with considerable rapidity,
and when not severely wounded, is able to dive in a very creditable
manner. On wing it has no rivals among Ducks. Our two smaller
Mergansers, however, are swifter, although they exhibit none of the
graceful movements every now and then shewn by the Green-wings, when
coursing in the air over and around a pond, a river, or a large wet savannah.
They rise from the water at a single spring, and so swiftly too,
that none but an expert marksman need attempt to shoot them, if when
starting they are many yards distant. While feeding, they proceed in
a close body along the shores, or wherever the water is so shallow that
they can reach the bottom with ease. In savannahs or watery fields
intersected by dry ridges, they remove from one pool to another on
foot, unless the distance is considerable; and in effecting the transit, they
run so huddled together, as to enable a gunner to make great havock
among them. When the cravings of hunger are satisfied, they retire to
some clean part of the shore, or a sandbar, where they rest in perfect harmony,
each individual composing its dress, and afterwards, with wings
slightly drooping, placing its breast to the sun. There they remain for
an hour or more at a time, some sound asleep, some dosing, but rarely
without a trusty sentinel watching over their safety. In this manner they
spend the winter months in the Southern and Western Countries. There,
indeed, they are far more abundant than in our eastern districts, just because
the climate is milder, the human population more dispersed, and
the damp fields, meadows, and savannahs more abundant.
The migrations of this species are performed more over the land than
along the borders of the sea; and it is probable that its principal breed.