ANAS ACUTA. PINTAIL DUCK, OB SPRIGTAIL. 



HIS handsome-looking duck is known to 

 our snooters indifferently as the pintail or 

 sprigtail. The latter appellation is per- 

 haps the most common. They frequent 

 the fresh-water streams of almost every 

 section of our country, both inland and on 

 the seaboard. They are not very partial to 

 salt water. Sprigtails are shy and vigi- 

 lant; when aroused, they fly confusedly together, so that the 

 shooter has always a fine opportunity to rake the flock when on 

 the wing. They remain with us all winter and breed in the North ; 

 their flesh is sweet and often delicious* 



DESCRIPTION. 



" The pintail duck is twenty-six inches in length and two feet 

 ten inches in extent ; the bill is a dusky lead-color ; irides dark 

 hazel ; head and half of the neck pale brown, each side of the 



neck marked with a band of purple-violet, bordering the white ; 

 370 



