BIRDS OF THE STREAMS 89 



coverts white ; secondaries dark brown ; speculum 

 green ; primaries, rump, and tail-coverts blackish ; 

 broad white band across chest. Breast and belly- 

 chestnut ; vent white. Bill lead-colour and broadly 

 spatulated. Legs and feet orange-red. Length 20 in. 

 Female mottled with light and dark brown. After 

 summer moult the male assumes the mottled plumage 

 of the female. Young, like female. 



Language. — Resembles " tuck-tuck." Usually a very 

 silent bird. 



Habits. — When taking to flight the wings clap loudly. 

 Fond of floating on the water, dabbling the bill in it and 

 sifting same for food. It also feeds by turning itself 

 upside down like the Mallard. 



Food. — Small fish, aquatic insects, tadpoles, worms, 

 Crustacea, and mollusca ; also water-plants, &c. 



Nest. — April or May. One brood. 



Site. — Usually near water on the ground among 

 rushes, heather, or other herbage. 



Materials. — Dry grass and sedges, lined with neutral 

 greyish down tipped with white. 



Eggs. — Six to ten or more. Pale greenish buff. 



PINTAIL {Dafila acuta). 



Coming in autumn, and usually leaving in April. 

 Breeds occasionally in Scotland and Ireland. In a semi- 

 domestic state it frequently breeds. 



Observation. — Distinct on account of the white stripe 

 down each side of the neck and the long pointed tail 

 feathers. 



Haunts. — Estuaries, sea-shores, and inland waters, 

 preferring shallow waters with muddy bottoms. 



M 



