44 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 



where the bird is increasing, built on the top of a haystack. 

 In the Cheviots it is often in heather or dwarf willow. The 

 nest down is blackish brown with faint white tips. The eight 

 to twelve eggs (Plate 21), usually greenish, are laid in April or 

 May. The nestling is clad in yellow and brown down like that 

 of the Mallard, but without the buff on the wings. At first the 

 small bills show little lateral expansion. When the young have 

 passed the flapper stage, they and the old birds leave many 

 of the nesting haunts, though on some bogs and pools Shovelers 

 may be met with all the year round. 



The main features of the nuptial dress are already described. 

 In the drake the bill is slate-grey, the legs are orange-red, and 

 the irides yellow, but in the duck these are respectively olive- 

 brown with orange at the base, dull orange, and dark brown. 

 In eclipse the drake closely resembles the duck, but Mr. F. W, 

 Smalley points out that the pattern of the flank differs, and the 

 belly is tinged with rufous. The shoulder blue, which is 

 retained, is brighter than in the duck. At first the plumage 

 of all young is feminine, but drakes in all stages of intermediate 

 mottled dress are often on the water in winter. Length, 

 20'5 ins. Wing, 10 ins. Tarsus, 1-4 ins. 



Pintail. Daft/a acuta (Linn.). 



As a breeding species the Pintail (Plate 17) is extending its 

 range in Scotland and the northern isles ; it has been reported 

 as nesting in Ireland. In England and Wales it is a regular 

 but not abundant winter visitor, more frequent on the sea than 

 inland. It is found nesting throughout Europe, northern Asia, 

 and North America, and in winter reaches Africa, southern 

 Asia, and the West Indies. 



The Pintail is just as slender and elegant as the Shoveler is 

 bluff and heavy. Naturally the two elongated central tail 

 feathers of the drake, whence one local name, " Sea-Pheasant," 



