THE WILD DUCK 



321 



almost as jealously as game. This is fortunate for the 

 naturalist, who thus has an opportunity of studying the 

 nesting economy of many of our rarer birds. Five of these 

 species belong to that division of the British Ducks of 

 which the Mallard is the typical species namely, the non- 

 diving Ducks. The first of these is the Pintail (Anas acuta), 

 distinguished by its long central tail-feathers, vermiculated 

 mantle, and white upper breast. Though best known as 

 a winter visitor to our islands, a few pairs remain behind 

 in Ireland to breed. In winter it is a bird of the coast, 

 feeding on mudflats and shallows; but in summer it 

 retires to the pools and lakes of the uplands, on the banks 

 of which it makes its nest. This is composed of dry grass 

 and other aquatic herbage, plentifully lined with down. 

 The eggs, from seven to ten in number, are pale buffish- 

 green, very similar to those of the Wild Duck. Its food is 

 insects, mollusks, grass, and water weeds, and in autumn 

 sometimes grain. 



The Wigeon (Anas penelope) comes next under our 

 notice. It is characterised by its vermiculated mantle and 

 white median wing-coverts. Few Ducks are better known 

 than the Wigeon. It swarms on our coasts in winter, as well 

 as on more inland waters and marshes ; but at the approach of 

 summer nearly all these birds return to the arctic regions to 

 breed. A few pairs, however, remain behind in the northern 

 parts of Scotland, and make their nests on the marshy 

 borders of the mountain forests and the uplands, where 

 pools and streams are plentiful. The nest of this bird is 

 slight, but warmly lined with down, which is easily recog- 

 nised by its dark brown colour and distinct white tips. 

 The eggs are from seven to twelve in number and buffish- 

 white. The female performs the entire task of hatching 

 the eggs and caring for the young. The food of the Wigeon 

 is similar to that of the Pintail, and the bird's loud whistling 



21 



