262 PINTAIL DUCK. 



PINTAIL DUCK^ 



This is a native of the United States. Wilson and Audubon 

 state that it is an inland bird, and very abundant on the waters 

 of the Mississippi, and feeds on beech nuts, that are found in 

 the woods adjoining the water. Nolan says : 



The pintail duck is a bird of graceful proportions, with a slender 

 neck and elongated tail, and undergoes the changes of color usual in 

 the duck tribe, the male bird assuming the appearance of the female, 

 after the breeding season. The flesh is of the finest flavor ; it weighs 

 about two pounds. "When in full plumage, the head and throat of the 

 male bird, are dark hair brown ; the lower part of the neck, and two 

 streaks running up to the hind part of the head, the breast, and under 

 part, white; back of the neck, deep brown. Flanks and thighs, with 

 five transverse black lines ; under tail coverts, velvet black. Back, 

 marked with alternate varying lines of black and greyish white. 

 Scapulars, black ; tertials, long, acuminate, and black, with yellowish 

 white margins; lesser wing coverts, deep smoke grey; speculum, 

 blackish green, with a bronzed reflection, bordered below with white ; 

 quills, brown; two middle tail-feathers, elongated, acuminate, and 

 black ; the rest, brown, margined with white ; bill, black ; .legs, 

 blackish grey. 



