PINTAIL. l6l 



species. They are amongst the earhest to appear in Autumn. By 

 the end of September they begin to come, and large flocks continue 

 to arrive until the weather becomes very severe. They are widely 

 distributed, and not only frequent the shores all round the coast, 

 but are to be met with on the lakes and rivers in the interior of the 

 country, Great numbers are caught in the decoys, and find a ready 

 sale, at the moderate prices at which they are often offered. They 

 feed almost entirely on grass, which accounts for the delicacy of 

 their flavour. 



The Wigeon is best known in Herefordshire on the carts of 

 the wild-fowl sellers, but the birds are to be seen most winters, on 

 the upper reaches of the river Wye, and have often been shot on 

 this, and the other rivers and ponds in the county. 



[Mareca AMERICANA — American Wigeon.] 

 Five or six specimens have been killed. 



Genus— DAFILA. 

 DAFILA ACUTA— Pintail. 



Why, ye tenants of the lake, 



For me your wat'ry haunt forsake ? 

 ***** 



Swiftly seek, on clanging wings, 

 Other lakes and other springs. 



Burns— 0?i Scaring Waterfowl. 



This elegant Duck, when in its summer plumage, is very pretty 

 and ornamental. It is a regular winter visitor, arriving early in 

 October, and remaining until spring. It is one of the best ducks 

 for the table, and is therefore gladly welcomed in the decoy. It 

 frequents the coasts, and large lakes of the interior of the country. 

 It is not often met with on the Wye, but has been shot there on 

 several occasions. Three were hanging at a fishmonger's shop in 

 Hereford in 1878, having been killed on the Wye at Whitney ; and 

 two were also killed above Whitney in 1880. 



