8o PINTAIL. 



PINTAIL. 



COMMON PINTAIL. PINTAIL DUCK. 

 PLATE CXC. FIGURE III. 



Anas acuta, PENNANT. MONTAGU. BEWICK. 



Querquedula acuta, SELBY. 

 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. 



