PINTAIL 

 143. Dafila acuta. 22 in. 



Tail pointed, and, in the male, with the two central 

 feathers considerably lengthened; neck unusually long 

 and slender for a duck; form more slender than that 

 of other ducks. Male with brownish head and stripe 

 down back of neck; back and sides barred with black 

 and white; speculum green, bordered with white or buff. 

 Female mottled brownish, buffy and black, but to be 

 known by the sharply pointed tail feathers and long 

 neck; speculum brownish. These ducks are strong swim- 

 mers and good fliers, but poor divers; they get their 

 food the same as does the Mallard by " tipping up," 

 their long neck enabling them to feed in comparatively 

 deep water. They are quite timid and lurk in the tall 

 grass of the marshes during the daytime, feeding chiefly 

 after dark. 



Notes. Quacks like those of the Mallard. 



Nest. On the ground, and like that of other ducks, 

 well lined with feathers; 6 to 12 eggs (2.20x1.50). 



Range. Breeds from 111. and Iowa northward; win- 

 ters in southern half of the U. S. 



