BIRDS OF 



It is not common in Ontario, but is occasionally found by the 

 gunners steering up some sluggish creek, or sifting the mud along 

 its shores ; as its flesh is held in high estimation for the table, 

 it is never allowed to get away when it can be stopped. 



It breeds in the Northwest, and was observed by Prof. 

 Macoun in great numbers in the creeks and pools near the 

 Assinaboine in September and October. 



GENUS DAFILA STEPHENS. 

 41. DAFILA ACUTA (LINN.). 143. 



Pintail. 



Tail cuneate, when fully developed the central feathers projecting and 

 nearly equalling the wing ; much shorter and not so narrow in the female and 

 young, four to nine inches long ; wing, u, total length about 24. Bill, black 

 and blue, feet grayish blue, head and upper neck dark brown, with green and 

 purple gloss, sides of neck with a long white stripe, lower neck and under 

 parts white, dorsal line of neck black, passing into the gray of the back, which, 

 like the sides, is vermiculated with black ; speculum greenish-purple, anter- 

 iorly bordered by buff tips of the greater coverts, elsewhere by black and 

 white ; tertials and scapulars black and silvery ; female and young with the 

 whole head and neck speckled or finely streaked with dark brown, and grayish 

 or yellowish-brown ; below dusky freckled ; above blackish, all the feathers 

 pale-edged ; only a trace ot the speculum between the white or whitish tips of 

 the greater coverts and secondaries. 



HAB. Northern hemisphere. In North America breeds from the north- 

 ern parts of the United States northward, and migrates south to Panama and 

 Cuba. 



Nest on the ground. Eggs, eight to twelve, dull grayish olive. 



An abundant migrant in spring and fall, and one of the most 

 graceful in its movements, either on land or water. At Hamil- 

 ton its visits are of short duration, as it seems to prefer running 

 streams. According to Mr. Saunders, a few pairs breed at St. 

 Clair, but the great body pass the summer much farther north. 



GENUS AIX BOIE. 

 42. AIX SPONSA (LINN.). 144. 

 Wood Duck. 



Male : Head crested, metalic green and purple ; line above and behind 

 the eye, white ; throat white ; above, coppery black with a gloss of green and 

 purple ; beneath white, upper part of the breast, chestnut ; sides buffy, very 



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