TEAL, Querquedula, a genus of ducks (anatidm) with very slightly lobed hind-toe, narrow bill, as long as the head, the sides nearly parallel, or widening a little at the end, the wings pointed, the tail moderately large, and wedge-shaped. Some naturalists divide the genus into two—nettion, in which the hill leas parallel sides, and a small nail at the tip; and querquedula, in which it is widened, and has a larger nail. The species are numerous, the smallest of the ducks, and widely distributed over the world. They generally frequent rivers and lakes, feeding principally at night on aquatic insects, worms, mollusks, seeds, etc. The COMMON TEAL (Q. or N. crecea) is plentiful in Britain and in most parts of Europe. It is occasionally but rarely seen in North America. Its whole length is about 14 inches. It is a very beautiful bird; the head of the male brownish-red, the body transversely undulated with dusky lines, a white line above, and another beneath the eye, the speculum black and green. It makes its nest on the mar
gins of lakes or rivers, of decayed vegetable matter lined with down, and lays eight or ten eggs. Its flesh is extremely delicate. It was domesticated by the ancient Romans, and seems capable of being advantageously introduced into our poultry yards.—The GARGANEY (q.v.) is another British species.—The GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Q. or N. Carolinensis) of North America is very similar to the common teal, but it is at once distinguished by a white crescent in front of the bend of the wings. It is occasionally seen in Europe. In its summer migrations, it visits very northern regions.—The BLUE WINGED TEAL (Q. discors) is very abundant in many parts of North America. It is rather larger than the common teal. It is easily domesticated.