ANAKTUVUK PASS 



37 



they are seen in pairs in spring or singly in summer, it is believed 

 that nesting occurs nearby. 



6 males 



1 unlabeled, In 



male plumage 

 6 females 



1 nest, 6 slightly 

 Incubated eggs, 

 female parent 



May 21-June 25 



May 21, Aug. 7 



June 10, 1949 



Anas acuta Linnaeus 



weigbt (18) (May 



10-June 25) 764 to 

 1030, average 817 



weight (7) without 

 eggs (May 17- 

 June 11) 679-835, 

 average 731 g. 



Pintails were earliest recorded May 16, 1949, May 11, 1950, May 6, 

 1951, May 18, 1952, May 13, 1953, and May 15, 1954. The last date 

 was probably several days after the first arrival. On May 17, 1949, 

 12 were recorded by Tom Brower and thereafter he reported the num- 

 bers seen as increasing to between 60 and 100 daily from May 21 to 30. 

 The northbound migration goes on steadily during at least two weeks 

 and many flocks comprise a dozen or more and are well formed. Some 

 of these migrants stop to nest in the valleys, where in the extensive 

 marshy regions they are the most numerous of the summer resident 

 ducks. The number which remains to nest in the Valley is however, 

 only a small percent of the great number of migrating pintails. 



In 1951 developing eggs were found to be 6 mm. in length on May 

 18, one was ready to be laid on May 21, 12 mm. in length on May 22, 

 and 12 mm. in length on May 28. 



A nest found in a marshy area by Tom Brower June 10, 1949, with 

 6 slightly incubated eggs, was made of small grasses mingled with 

 down. Another set of 6 eggs was discovered on the same date but 

 not taken. It appears likely that eggs are laid between about May 20 

 and June 10. These dates are earlier than for the old squaw and 

 merganser. A female with 8 young was observed in Akmalik Lake 

 in the Killik Valley by Simon Paneak on July 8, 1951, and on August 



28. 1950, young pintails were reported able to fly for some distance. 

 On June 16, 1951, six males were observed together at Napaktua- 



loitch Lake, and thereafter the males were commonly grouped in small 

 bands along the streams and in the lakes. One male taken on June 



16. 1951, was moulting and just able to fly, while three others took wing 

 with difficulty, unlike their usual ability to spring from the water 

 into flight. 



The Nunamiut name for the pintail is Koimgak. They are the most 

 numerous migrating and nesting ducks in the Valley. 



