PINTAIL 
143. Dafila acuta. 22 in. 
Tail pointed, and, in the male, with the two central 
feathers considerably lengthened; neck unusually long 
and slender for a duck; form more slender than that 
of other ducks. Male with brownish head and _ stripe 
down back of neck; back and sides barred with black 
and white; speculum green, bordered with white or buff. 
Female mottled brownish, buffy and black, but to be 
known by the sharply pointed tail feathers and long 
neck; speculum brownish. These ducks are strong swim- 
mers and good fliers, but poor divers; they get their 
food the same as does the Mallard by “tipping up,” 
their long neck enabling them to feed in comparatively 
deep water. They are quite timid and lurk in the tall 
erass of the marshes during the daytime, feeding chiefly 
after dark. 
Notes.—Quacks like those of the Mallard. 
Nest.—On the ground, and like that of other ducks, 
well lined with feathers; 6 to 12 eggs (2.20x 1.50). 
88 Range.—Breeds from Tl]. and Iowa northward; win- 
ters in southern half of the U.S. 
