302 BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN NEW YORK 



The Wood Duck was formerly a common summer resi- 

 dent throughout New York and New England, breeding 

 about quiet ponds and slow streams ; but it has diminished 

 rapidly of late, and can hardly be considered common any- 

 where, unless in the wilder portions of northern New Eng- 

 land. It is an uncommon winter visitant on Long Island, 

 but elsewhere in New England occurs chiefly as a migrant 

 in March and April, and from August to November, or as 

 a rare summer resident. It may be found on small inland 

 ponds or wooded streams. The male is unmistakable ; the 

 long crest-feathers and the black and white sides of the 

 head give him a characteristic look. The female has a slight 

 crest, but may be best distinguished by the white eye-ring 

 and stripe of white behind the eye. 



Pintail. Dafila acuta 



$ 28.00. 9 22.00 



Ad. $ . — Head, throat, and part of fore neck brown; hind neck 

 black, separated from fore neck by a white stripe; back gray, 

 with narrow wavy black lines; speculum bronze, with greenish re- 

 flections, bordered in front with cinnamon; long black feathers, 

 edged with white, extend down the wing; middle tail-feathers long 

 and black ; lower fore neck, breast, and belly white; feathers under 

 tail black; bill and feet slate. Ad. 9- — Top of head and hind 

 neck brown; back brown, the feathers edged with whitish; under 

 parts whitish, spotted with dusky, darkest on neck; bill and feet 

 slate. Im. $ . — Similar to J, but with speculum as in ad. $ . 



The Pintail is a migrant through New York and New 

 England, common off Long Island and in the Hudson Val- 

 ley, but rare in most of New England. It occurs in Ply- 

 mouth County, Mass., from the end of September through 

 October, and again in April ; in the Hudson Valley it is 

 found till December, and off Long Island it occasionally 

 winters. The adult male may be easily recognized by his 

 long black tail-feathers, which are cocked up as he swims, 

 but these are often not yet grown in the autumn. The male 



