82 PINTAIL DUCK. 



is said to inhabit England in winter, and various parts of France 

 and Italy ; migrates to Sweden, and is found throughout Russia and 

 Siberia.* 



It is a very quick diver, so as to make it difficult to be shot ; flies 

 also with great rapidity, and utters a note not unlike that of the 

 Mallard, but louder. Is fond of salines and ponds overgrown with 

 reeds and rushes. Feeds during the day, as well as in the morning and 

 evening. 



Note. — A male specimen shot by Mr. Ord in East Florida, in the 

 month of February, had its crown of a pale ferruginous, mixed with 

 brown ; head and neck yellowish white, barred and mottled with brown ; 

 back, outer scapulars, vent and flanks, brown, with pale zigzag lines ; 

 some of the inner scapulars reddish and cinereous brown ; upper and 

 under tail-coverts velvet black ; legs and feet yelloiv ochre, part of the 

 webs dusky. Weight two pounds. 



This species is very rare on the Delaware ; but in East Florida it is 

 common. On the fresh-water ponds, in the vicinity of the river St. 

 John, Mr. Ord shot many of them ; and found them in good condition, 

 and excellent eating. 



Species VII. ANAS ACUTA. 



PINTAIL DUCK. 



[Plate LXVIII. Fig. 3.] 



Le Canard a longue queue. Bris. vi., p. 369, 16, pi. 34, fi^. 1, 2— Buff, ix., p. 199, 

 pi. 13.— Pf. Enl. 954.— ^rci!. Zool. No. 500.— Lath. Syn. iii., p. 52G. 



The Pintail, or as it is sometimes called, the Sprigtail, is a common 

 and well known Duck in our markets, much esteemed for the excellence 

 of its flesh, and is generally in good order. It is a shy and cautious 

 bird, feeds in the mud flats, and shallow fresh-water marshes ; but 

 rarely resides on the seacoast. It seldom dives, is very noisy, and has 

 a kind of chattering note. When wounded they will sometin>es dive, 

 and coming up conceal themselves under the bow of the boat, moving 

 round as it moves. Are vigilant in giving the alarm on the approach 

 of the gunner, who often curses the watchfulness of the Sprigtail. 

 Some Ducks when aroused disperse in difi'erent directions ; but the 

 Sprigtails when alarmed cluster confusedly together as they mount, and 



* Latham. 



