WILD DUCKS. 



285 



posed of fourteen tapering feathers, and the two in the 

 middle project far beyond the others. Its call is a low, 

 plaintive whistle of one note, which is repeated two or 

 three times. It is one of the most graceful members of 

 its family, and also one of the best for the table. It asso- 

 ciates freely with the green-heads, especially in streams, 

 and flocks of both species may bo frequently fonnd feed- 

 ing and roosting together. It readily answers to the call- 

 note of the mallard, and seldom passes decoys without 





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PFNTAIL DUCK. 



paying them a visit. AVhen this duck moves in teams, or 

 flocks, it is rather unsuspicious, as if numbers gave it 

 confidence, but if shot at much it becomes exceedingly 

 wary. Bunches decoy much better than single birds, but 

 to make a good Ijag, tlie stools, or decoys, ought to be 

 planted to the windward, as the birds have a habit of cir- 

 cling to the leeward before setthng. They are harder to 

 kill on the wing than the green-heads, as their flight is 

 much more rapid and erratic, and they indulge in wheel- 

 ing motions that arc peculiar to themselves. They have 



