238 BRITISH BIRDS 



In April and May it migrates to higher latitudes : in Scotland it is 

 partly a resident species, and breeds in many localities ; and, in less 

 numbers, it also remains to breed in Ireland. The wigeon differs 

 a good deal from other ducks in its feeding habits : it feeds both 

 by day and night, in the water and on land. On land it is, like 

 the goose, a grass-eater, and in Lapland is known from this habit 

 as the * grass-duck.' In disposition it is one of the shyest and 

 wariest, and at the same time the most gregarious, among the 

 waterfowl, and often unites in immense flocks. It is also very 

 loquacious : its loud, prolonged whistle in two syllables, strongly 

 accented on the first, is described by Seebohm as being ' very wild 

 and weird, as it startles the ear on the margin of a mountain tarn 

 or moorland lake a solitary cry, very high in key, not unmusical 

 in tone, but loud and piercing.' It is called * whew duck ' in some 

 localities, from its whistling cry. 



The nest is placed amidst coarse grass or heather, and is deeply 

 lined with down. The eggs are seven to ten in number, and cream- 

 coloured. 



A few specimens of the American wigeon (Mareca aanericwna) 

 have been obtained in various parts of Great Britain. 



Pintail. 

 Dafila acuta. 



Head and neck bronze-brown, black on the nape ; a white 

 stripe down the neck on each side, extending to the white breast 

 and under parts; back and flanks mottled grey; greater wing- 

 coverts buff; speculum green margined with black and white; 

 tail black, the two middle feathers greatly prolonged ; under tail- 

 coverts black; bill, legs, and feet slaty grey. Length, twenty- 

 eight inches. Female : mottled brown above and greyish white 

 below; speculum green. In July the male assumes the female 

 dress, and retains it until October. 



The pintail, although not so handsomely coloured as the shoveler, 

 mallard, wigeon, and teal, is the most elegant of the freshwater 

 ducks, being slim and graceful in form, with the two slender middle 

 feathers of the tail greatly elongated. Sea-pheasant is one of its 

 local names, but the same name is sometimes given to the long- 



