SPRIG TAIL. 123 



a sound at first like a low murmur, succeeded by a hiss, 

 and then, as the bird sweeps close along the ground in a 

 gliding course, it assumes almost the proportions of a roar. 

 Sometimes this noise accompanying the Duck's passage 

 through the air is heard for a number of seconds before 

 the bird comes into view, so high has it ascended. 



The females of this species are, Mr. Nelson believes, 

 polyandrous, for he has seen one preceded by two males 

 as she flew along, and at short intervals she would halt 

 slightly, draw back her head, and utter a loud nasal 

 quack. It is a common occurrence for a female, when 

 chased by several males, to plunge at full speed under 

 water, followed by her pursuers, and all suddenly rise and 

 take wing a short distance beyond. 



The Pintail breeds in northern latitudes of both hemi- 

 spheres, also in Manitoba and the northern tier of States, 

 occasionally as far south as Colorado, and is among the 

 first of the Water Fowl to commence the duties of incu- 

 bation; but this important function varies, apparently, 

 according to the degrees of latitude, beginning later in 

 the most northern sections. The nest, composed simply 

 of dry grass and twigs and lined with feathers, is placed 

 in some thick grass, at the foot of a willow, under a 

 bush, or in some similar spot where concealment is 

 equally secured, and from six to twelve pale olive green, 

 rather small eggs are deposited. The young appear 

 during June or early in July, according to the locality, 

 and the parents lead them immediately to the water, from 

 which the nest is never far removed, and they remain 

 about the marshes, keeping themselves well concealed 

 from observation until able to fly. The males moult at 

 this time; the females somewhat later. 



In summer the Pintail utters a low, mellow whistle. 

 and also, in addition to the hoarse, guttural quack, a 



