514 LAMELLIROSTJRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



In general habits it differs little from the Mallard, but is found more commonly on 

 open water, and is more wary. Its slender and graceful figure renders it conspicu- 

 ously easier in its movements. It swims high out of the water, and more in the 

 manner of a Swan. Its food is essentially the same as the Mallard's. According to 

 Montagu, its note is soft, and it is less noisy than other fresh-water Ducks, being 

 rather a silent bird. It is said generally to breed later than the Mallard. 



According to Mr. Dresser, the nests found by him in Finland were mere depres- 

 sions in the soil, often under the shelter of a bush, usually not far from the water, 

 and lined with small flags and grass-bents. Witliin, down and feathers form a soft 

 bed, on which the eggs are deposited. These were from seven to nine in number, 

 colored like those of the Mallard, but more elongated in shape, and smaller in size. 

 The eggs obtained by Mr. Dresser in Finland average 2.00 by 1.50 inches. 



Mr. Boardman informs me that this Duck occurs in the vicinity of Calais in the 

 fall, but is not fomid there in the spring. In Massachusetts it is not very common, 

 but is not at all rare, and is met with both in the spring and the fall. A fine male 

 was shot in Cambridge, Mass., in April, 1873, which had alighted in a pool of water 

 in a small yard near a dwelling, apparently unconscious of danger. 



In Long Island it is well known to hunters as the " Sprig-tail " and the " Spindle- 

 tail." Although shy and timid, it is often brought within reach of the fowler's gun 

 by decoys. AVhen surprised by the hunter's rising to fire, the birds crowd close to- 

 gether, presenting what is called a " doublet ; " and many fall by a single discharge. 

 Though not known to dive for its food, it will attempt to escape in this way when 

 wounded. When finally compelled to rise to the surface, it will try to hide under 

 the bow of a boat, or will skulk in the grass of the marsh, often concealing itself so 

 well as to escape detection. Its flesh is always sweet, and highly esteemed. Mr. 

 N. B. Moore, who met with it in abundance in Florida, writes me that he has fre- 

 quently seen it, when in confinement, plunge into the water to the depth of two feet, 

 when dressing its plumage. 



Mr. Bannister found it common on the small ponds on the Island of St. Michael's 

 and the adjacent mainland. INIr. Dall speaks of it as extremely common on all parts 

 of the Yukon, and on the marshes near the sea-coast. In the early spring, arriving 

 at Nulato about May 1, it is gregarious ; but about May 20, when it begins to 

 breed, it is generally found solitary or in pairs. Its nest is said to be usually in the 

 sedge, lined witli dry grass ; and when both parents are absent, the eggs are covered 

 with dry leaves and feathers. 



The Pin-tail is said to fly more swiftly than any other Duck, and is very hard to 

 shoot on the wing. It lays from six to ten, and even twelve, eggs. As soon as the 

 young are hatched, it withdraws from the river into the small creeks and rivulets, 

 where it remains until the Ducklings are fully able to fly. Then they all repair to 

 the great marshes, where, on the roots of the Equisetum, they become exceedingly 

 fat. They all leave about the end of September. This species was also obtained at 

 Sitka and at Kadiak ])y Bischoff. 



The following valuable notes relative to the summer distribution and breeding of 

 this Duck are abridged from the papers of my late esteemed friend, Robert Kennicott : 

 In America the summer home of the Pin-tail is within the Arctic regions, farther to 

 the northward than that of any other of our fresh-water Ducks, comparatively few 

 breeding south of Great Slave Lake. In their spring migrations to the northward 

 they move in immense flocks, which only disperse upon their arrival at their breeding- 

 grounds. A few reacli that lake about May 1 ; but the main body arrive about a 

 week or so later, and mostly pass directly on across the lake to the northward. On 



