riNTAIL TEAL. 69 



in small numbers, to the coast and inland Avaters." It 

 is extensively dispersed over the continent of Europe, and 

 not less so over that of North America. Mr. Audubon, 

 who has studied its habits, informs us that on the water 

 few birds exhibit more graceful motions. " They swim 

 rather deeply, keep close together, and raise the hind part 

 of the body. On the land they Avalk with ease, still carrying 

 their tail raised. Their flight is very rapid, greatly pro- 

 tracted, and almost noiseless. They are scarcely nocturnal, 

 but rest much in the middle of the day, basking in the sun- 

 shine whilst on the water, Avhenever they can indulge in this 

 luxury. In feeding they often associate with the Mallard, 

 Wigeon, and Blue-winged Teal. Their food consists of 

 vegetable substances, seeds, and fruits, but also of tadpoles, 

 leeches, insects, and other small animals. On ponds they 

 feed along the most shallow places, or by the edges, im- 

 mersing their heads and necks, and groping with their hind 

 parts elevated, like the Mallard ; but never diving for the 

 purpose, although when wounded they can pass under the 

 surface for a short space." 



According to Montagu, " the notes of the Pintail are 

 extremely soft and inward ; the courting note is always 

 attended with a jerk of the head ; the other greatly resembles 

 that of a very young kitten. In the spring, the male indi- 

 cates his softer passions by suddenly raising his bod)' upright 

 in the water, and bringing his bill close to his breast, uttering 

 at the same time a soft note. This gesticulation is frequently 

 followed by a singular jerk of the hinder part of the body, 

 which in turn is thrown up above the water." 



Changes of Plumage. — The moult is generally com- 

 pleted by the end of autumn, from which time until the 

 middle of summer the males undergo no other change than 

 what results from the action of the weather. They then, 

 however, as Montagu states, " assume a very near resem- 

 blance to the female, which at other times is known to be so 

 extremely dissimilar. In the month of June, or beginning 

 of July, these birds commenced their change of plumage, 

 and by degrees, after making a singular mottled appearance. 



