TIIK MOST BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN DUCK 179 



where throughout the northern hemisphere . . . l>ut is no! 

 common in the eastern states, and breeds from Alaska to 

 Texas." [ts flight is much like thai of a teal, but less swift, 

 ;;im1 in cruising aboul for good feeding-grounds it is irregular 

 and hesitating. 'The body of the Shoveller is not large, and 

 its apparent size in the air is made up chiefly of wings and 

 head. . . . As a bird for the table, I have held it in very high 

 esteem." (D. G. Elliot.) 



In captivity this is a difficult bird to acclimatize and keep 

 alive, which for several reasons is to be regretted. The fe- 

 males and immature birds arc colored very differently from 

 the adult and perfect males. The following local names <>!' 

 this bird have been recorded by Mr. Elliol in hi-- "Wild Fowl 

 of North America": Blue-Winged Shoveller, Red-Breasted 

 Shoveller. Spoonbill "Teal." Spoonbilled "Widgeon," Broad- 

 Bill, Broady, Swaddle-Bill and Mud Shoveller. 



I regard the Pintail, or Sprigtail,' as the most beautiful 

 duck in America, not even excepting the wood duck. On 

 land its outlines are trim, graceful and finely drawn, and on 

 the water it makes <>ne think of a finely modelled yacht. In 

 beauty of form it far surpasses all other American duck-: 

 and nowhere among wild fowl is there to he found a more 

 charming color scheme than in the plumage of the drake. 



It is a harmony of delicate drabs, grays and while used to 



set oil' several pleasing shades of brown, black and iridescent 

 green. None of the colors arc gaudy or cheap-looking, and 

 a- a whole the combination of form and colors produces a 

 bird that is in every way an exquisite creature. 



1 Daj'i-la a-cu'ta. Average length oi male, 27 inches; female, 22 incl 



