20 | THE GAME BIRDS 
as is usual in nearly all the ducks. Eyes yel- 
low. Size about that of the Widgeon (No. 
12), but a trifle smaller. 
Habitat — Entire continent; but rare on 
the Atlantic coast. Very abundant in Florida 
in the winter. ‘They delight in shallow pools, 
where they float, with their heads under 
water the most of the time, feeding upon the 
aquatic grasses and insects. Audubon pro- 
nounced them as the finest duck for the table 
in America, even better than the noted Can- 
vas-back. Their flesh is very finely flavored, 
and, after all, much of the fame of the latter 
is due to a customary idea. 
i=. PINAL. -GRAY]DUCK 
Dafila acuta. 
Back of male bird gray, marked with wavy 
white lines; under parts white. Wings dark, 
speculum green, with coppery reflections. 
Head and upper part of neck dark brown. 
The tail is from 5 to 9 inches long, form- 
ing a distinctive feature. Bill black, edged 
with gray; feet gray-blue; eyes brown; size 
a little smaller than the Mallard, but more 
eracefully formed. Weight about 2 lbs. The 
female and young drakes are somewhat 
smaller, and lack the long tail. The back is 
brown, mottled with cream-color, while the 
under parts are light yellow. ‘This plumage 
is liable to be somewhat varied, as they often 
cross with the Mallard. 
