DAFILA ACUTA : PINTAIL OR SPRIGTAIL DUCK. 307 



the rank herbage about the borders of the pools, where 

 their young were reared. The nest is commonly placed 

 on the ground — in rare instances in the hollow of a 

 tree, or some "stub" projecting from the water of a 

 swamp. The eggs are creamy or pale buff-colored, 

 smooth and elliptical, measuring two and one-third 

 inches long by one and two-thirds of an inch in breadth ; 

 they are laid in May and June, to the number of six, 

 eight or ten. 



This is one of the largest of the river Ducks, and 

 unsurpassed in the excellence of its flesh. Among 

 sportsmen, its book-name of " Dusky Duck " is less 

 often used than that of " Black Duck." 



PINTAIL OR SPRIGTAIL DUCK. 

 Dafila ACUTA (Z.) Jen. 



Fig. 63. — Head of Female Sprigtail. Nat. size. 



Chars. Tail cuneate, when fully developed the central feathers 

 much projecting and nearly equalling the wing in length ; much 

 shorter and not so narrow in the female and young ; 4.00 to 9.00 



