SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS. 209 



this bird is known in our confines. In spite of the 

 fact that it appears at that time in greater numbers 

 on the coast, feeding on the mud -flats, the Pintail is 

 essentially a fresh-water Duck, and is often to be 

 found on inland waters. Here it feeds chiefly on 

 the young shoots of water-plants, its head below 

 water, and its long tail elevated, thus affording easy 

 means of identification. It also visits the stubble lands 

 in autumn for the sake of the fallen grain. It is 

 usually seen in small flocks, and evinces a partiality 

 for the company of the Wigeon. Its cry by night 

 is a low quack, but during the day the bird is little 

 heard. Besides the long central tail-feathers, a long 

 white streak running down the sides of the head and 

 neck affords a means of recognition. The only other 

 of our Ducks that has a similarly long tail is the 

 marine Long-Tailed Duck, but it lacks the white 

 neck-stripe ; and the only other Duck with a similar 

 white neck-stripe the Garganey has a short tail 

 and the front of the neck and the breast brown. 



MALLARD, or WILD DUCK. Plate 92. Length, 

 24 inches. Head and neck glossy-green, the latter 

 with a narrow white ring ; upper parts brown, finely 

 vermiculated on the upper back ; lower back to cen- 

 tral tail-feathers inclusive black ; other tail-feathers 

 white ; wings brownish, with metallic purple specu- 

 lum bordered with black and white ; breast chest- 

 nut; remaining under parts white, finely waved 

 with brown; bill yellowish; legs reddish -orange. 

 Female : brown, streaked and mottled ; wing as in 

 the male. Resident and winter migrant 



