SKA DUCKa 107 



The Pintail is frequently found associated with thn Blark I>uck 

 atui Widgeon. As a rule it i* vmri'I,--., l>nt i* *n\<\ t< utter "a low- 

 t-mf'l quark at nitfht." The long n.-.-k and tail of tho male make its 

 identification easy even at a distance. 



144. Alx sponsa, 1. >,.. \\ -.- IM. K i /. 4 .A line from the 

 bill over the eye, a similar lino at tho bam) of tin- .!!. <>(' the cr-t, and BOOM 

 of the elongated crewl- feathers white ; throut, A hand I'n.tn it ii[> the *kle of 

 the head, and a wider in- t the nape, whit; rout of the cheks and crown 

 green with purplish reflections; a white band in front f the wing* ; breast 

 and a spot at either -i.l.- of the base of tho tail purplish ln-tiiut, Uie former 

 pottod with white; bully white; aide* butty ochruccuiis, tim-ly barred with 

 black, the longer flank feathers tipped with wider bars of black and white ; 

 back greenish brown; scapular* blacker; |-.-iiluni stcd l.lui- ; primaries 

 tipped with greenish blue. Ad. 9. Throat and a Htri|e (nun the eye back- 

 ward white ; crown purplish brown ; sides of the head ashy brown ; breast 

 an<l *idi-s grayish drown streak oil with butty ; belly white; back olive-brown 

 gloved with greenish ; inner primaries tipped with greenish )>lue. 1m. The 

 mi. 4 reaeinble* the 9 . L., 18-50 ; W., IHM ; Tar., 1-35 ; B., 1-30. 



Ka*gt. North America; breeds l'n>m Florida to Hudson Bay, and winters 

 southward to southern Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica. 



Washington, uncommon I*. K. Long Island, uncommon T. V. and W. V., 

 Sept to Apl. ; rare S. K. Sinif *ing, tolerably common S. K. Cambridge, 

 common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Aug. to Nov.; a few breed. 



A4, of grasses, leaves, twigs, etc., in a hole in a tree or stump. Eyy*, 

 eight to fourteen, pale huffy white, 2-05 x 1-50. 



Woodland ponds and forest-bordered streams make a proper setting 

 for the grace and beauty of these richly attired birds. Several timrs 

 it has been my fortune to see them in the unconscious enjoyment 

 of their secluded homes, and I know of no sight in the bird world 

 whi'-h so fully satisfies the eye. Alarm them, and with a frightened, 

 plaintive whistle, "mi-nk" they spring from tho water and make off 

 through the woods. At other times they will swim ahead of one's 

 canoe, and, rounding a bend in the stream, go ashore and walk rapidly 

 way. 



The young are brought from the nest to the ground in the bill of 

 the parent. 



Subfamily FuligiUinn. Bay and Sra Duck.''. 



The members of this subfamily are to be distinguished from those 

 of the preceding by the presence of a lobe or web on the hind loe. 

 They are open-water Ducks, frequenting our large lakes, bays, and sea- 

 coasts. Their food consists chiefly of mollusks, crustaceans, and tho 

 seeds and roots of aquatic plants. They obtain it prin<-i|>ally by div- 

 ing, sometimes descending one hundred and fifty feet or more. The 



