138 DUCK SHOOTING. 



black-heads sweep down over him as they prepare to 

 ahght, can well imagine what this sound is like. The 

 cry of the pintail in autumn and winter is a low, lisping 

 whistle, but at other times it is said to utter a sound 

 something like the quack of the mallard, and also one 

 similar to the rolling note produced by the black-head. 



The pintail is quite a shy bird ; its usual flight is high 

 in the air, which gives it an opportunity to inspect the 

 country for signs of danger. Often, however, if the 

 weather is favorable, these birds come well to decoys, 

 and are easily killed. 



There are few more graceful species than this. The 

 long pointed wings, the slender form, terminating in a 

 long neck and tail, and the swift flight, make the bird a 

 very beautiful one. 



This species rejoices in many names, and some of 

 them given by Mr. Trumbull are pied gray duck, 

 gray widgeon, sea widgeon, split-tail, sprig-tail, spike- 

 tail, picket-tail, sea pheasant, water pheasant, long 

 neck, sharp-tail and spindle-tail. 



