AMERICAN PINTAIL 



191 



Gadwall, female Mallard, New Mexican, Florida or Mottled Ducks, all of which 

 are also ducks with mottled-brown plumages and a superficial resemblance to 

 the female Pintail. Somewhat resembles females of Baldpate and European Widgeon 

 but the speculum is distinctive. 



FIELD MARKS 



ON THE WATER. Pintails are medium-sized, alert-looking ducks, and flocks 

 are readily recognized by the trim, handsome males. They sit elegantly, the slim 

 head and neck raised in a graceful curve and the long tail pointing upward 



at a moderate angle; the grey 

 body, with dark brown head 

 and long white neck is distinc- 

 tive. The female is like the 



r*^^^&^ " female Mallard but more slender, 



has a longer neck and more 

 pointed tail; it is similar also 

 to the slender female Gadwall 

 but lacks the white speculum 



of that species. When feeding in shallows in mixed flocks, Pintails do less "tipping" 

 than the others, as they can reach down deeper with their long necks. If they 

 are disturbed, the slender necks are suddenly stretched and held straight upwards. 



IX FLIGHT. Pintails are fast, graceful fliers, and with their long, slender 

 necks outstretched and long tails, they give 

 the appearance of great size. The pointed 

 wings and white neck and breast of the 

 males are readily noted in flight. The white 

 edging at rear of wing of both sexes is a 

 good field mark. Flocks have the habit 

 of descending from great heights in a zig- 

 zagging rush with a great roar of wings; 

 when near the water they level off and 

 without a stroke of the wings they "slant 

 in" to a landing. They spring cleanly up 

 from the water and when suddenly flushed, 

 they often "bunch" closely as they start 

 their swift flight. Unaccompanied females, 

 which are similar to female Mallards and female Gadwalls, can be told in flight 

 by their slender build, long, thin neck, pointed tail and sharp, pointed wings. 



VOICE. Male, a loud qua, qua, uttered in flight, and a low, mellow whistle 

 like that of the Teals; female, an occasional hoarse, muffled quack; the court- 

 ship voice of the male consists of soft, mewing notes. 



LIFE STORY 



On this continent the American Pintail has the widest breeding 

 range of all ducks. As a result of this wide distribution, its abundance 

 throughout its range and the strikingly handsome appearance of the 

 drake, it is probably one of the best known of North American wild 

 fowl. The main breeding grounds of the species to which our Pintail 

 belongs are circumpolar, and closely allied varieties of Pintails are found 

 in northern Europe and Asia. 



No duck is more readily recognized in flight than the trim, hand- 



