77 



PINTAIL. 



COMMON PINTAIL. PINTAIL DUCK. 



PLATE CXC. PIG. III. 



Anas acuta, PEDANT. MONTAGU. BEWICK. 



Querquedula acuta, SELBT. 



Dafila caudacuta, GOULD. 



OF this species also, the nest is placed by the margin of, or at no 

 great distance from, water, lakes, ponds, and seas, and is composed 

 of grass and reeds, with a little lining of down. Some have been 

 found in ditches, and even in standing corn : it is always well concealed. 



These Ducks pair in April. 



From six to eight or nine eggs are laid. The young are hatched 

 in about twenty-three days. They at once repair to the water. 



These birds have repeatedly bred in confinement. Montagu has 

 recorded several instances of this. Lord Stanley had a female Pintail 

 which paired with a Wigeon, and had eggs two successive seasons. 

 The Hon. Twisleton Fiennes another, a male, which paired with a 

 common Duck. 



