60 



PINTAIL. 



COMMON PINTAIL. PINTAIL DUCK. 

 PLATE CXC. FIG. III. 



Anas acuta, . . . Pennant. Montagu. Bewick. 

 Querqiieduki acuta, . . Selbt. 

 Dajila caudacuta, . . Gould. 



Of this species also, the nest is placed by the mar- 

 gin of, or at no great distance from, water, lakes, ponds, 

 and seas, and is composed of grass and reeds, with a 

 little lining of down. Some have been found in ditches, 

 and even in standing corn: it is always well concealed. 



These Ducks pair in April. 



From six to eight or nine eggs are laid. The young 

 are hatched in about twenty-three days. They at once 

 repair to the water. 



These birds have repeatedly bred in confinement. 

 Montagu has recorded several instances. Lord Stanley 

 had a female Pintail which paired with a Wigeon, and 

 had eggs two successive seasons. The Hon. Twisleton 

 Fiennes another, a male, which paired with a common 

 Duck. 



