PINTAIL 



289 



tailed duck (Hiirdtlo i/lnriniia) on the north-east coast. The pin- 

 tail is a winter visitor only to the British Islands, appearing in 

 October, and is most common on the south coast. It is found in 

 small flocks, and prefers shallow waters with muddy bottoms, and 

 feeds on aquatic weeds, insects, and crustaceans. It is always most 

 abundant near the shore, but is also met with on inland waters. 



FIG. 80. PINTAIL, i natural size. 



It has a rapid flight, and is a comparatively silent bird by day ; its 

 cry by night is a low quack, and in spring, during courtship, the 

 drake utters soft and inward notes, which he accompanies with 

 some curious gestures and antics. The pintail breeds freely in a 

 semi-domestic state, and lays seven to ten eggs, pale buffish green 

 in colour. 



Mallard, or Wild Duck. 

 Anas boscas. 



Bill yellowish ; head and neck glossy green, followed by a white 

 ring ; hind neck and breast deep chestnut ; across the secondaries 

 a greenish purple speculum, bordered above and below with white ; 



