312 FEATHERED GAME 



The length of this species is from seventeen 

 to twenty inches; the extent from thirty-two to 

 thirty-five inches. 



THE PINTAIL. THE SPRIGTAIL. 



(Dafila acuta.) 



It is a great pity that we so seldom capture 

 the Pintail, for he is one of the most beautiful 

 of the ducks as well as a fine bird at the table. 

 He is a great favorite with the sportsman wher- 

 ever he is found, for the high order of shooting 

 skill necessary to stop him in his flight is justly 

 appreciated. 



There is no member of the duck tribe so 

 gracefully made or built upon such clipper lines 

 as is this bird and he is one of the fleetest of 

 wing of all his family. When under way he is 

 indeed a flyer, going at a remarkable rate of 

 speed. The Pintail's flight will at once remind 

 the bay gunner of that of the "old squaw, " so 

 well known along the Atlantic coast. The same 

 chain lightning speed and darting and wheeling 

 evolutions are common to both species. The 

 speed of either of these is far greater than the 



