122 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS, 



an excellent diver, and like most long-winged ducks 

 is a bird of powerful flight. It feeds chiefly during 

 the night, and has a loud note, not unlike the noise 

 made by the Mallard. 



Pintail {Afias acuta). Although this duck is a 

 common winter visitor on our shores, it is not so often 

 met with inland. The following instances of its occur- 

 rence in these counties have come under my notice. 



A male Pintail, in first-rate plumage, is in the col- 

 lection of Mr. Ferryman, at Datchet ; it was shot on 

 a sheet of ice in Stoke Park, by a man named Gregory, 

 in the winter of 1863. The female bird which was in 

 company with it contrived to escape. 



The Rev. H. H. Crewe states that this species visits 

 the reservoirs at Marsworth, Wilstone, and Weston 

 Turville, every winter in considerable numbers. 



Colonel Montagu states that the note of this bird 

 is very soft and inward ; the courting note is always 

 accompanied by a jerk of the head, and its other note 

 bears a striking resemblance to the cry of a young 

 kitten. The flight of the Pintail is very rapid. 



Wild Duck {Anas boschas). Although a few pairs 

 of the Wild Duck remain in these counties to breed 

 every summer, for the most part this species is only 

 a winter visitor, and in inclement seasons immense 

 flocks pass over, occasionally dropping down on the 

 rivers and secluded ponds to rest, until driven away 

 by the persecutions of sportsmen. White varieties 

 have occasionally been procured, and I have met with 



