THE PINTAIL DUCK. 249 



is cautious, he may invariably get within range. Unless they have 

 been much persecuted they are generally careless of danger, and are 

 easily approachable. They are always considered by the wild-fowler 

 as a great prize. 



In all my experience I never remember an instance in which, 

 having found any of the pintail species on the water in my punting 

 excursions, I was unable to get within range. On one occasion 

 during a heavy storm of snow and sleet, and when, notwithstanding 

 all my precautions in keeping the lock covered, my punt-gun missed 

 fire* at a pair of pintails, they actually permitted me to re-cap my 

 gun twice, and snap it down unsuccessfully, without taking alarm. 

 The powder had become damp from the sleet having penetrated 

 the nipple, and I thus lost a splendid shot ; besides, as if to add to my 

 vexation, I had no shoulder-gun with me at the time, though I 

 scarcely ever went without one. They made no attempt to fly 

 until after the report of the second gun-cap, when they rose from 

 the water within fifty yards of the muzzle of the gun. 



When in company with the common wild-duck, or with widgeon, 

 they are not so tame, but appear to follow the movements of the 

 party. I have often observed, when pursuing a company of widgeon, 

 that the birds nearest me, or rather the rearmost of the alarmists, 

 were pintails, and consequently the most likely to be killed, being the 

 first to feel the effects of the shot. 



A wounded pintail seldom dives ; but if near the ooze, will swim 

 towards it with all possible despatch; and having gained it, will 

 make a great effort to escape by running : a performance for which 

 it is much better adapted than the generality of the waddling species. 



The haunts of the pintail are the grassy borders of fresh-water 

 lakes, rivers, and ponds. It is rarely met with on the open coast. 



* Waterproof gun-caps had not then been invented. 



K K 



