340 
ANAS EATON I 
scapulars nearly black, edged with buff; inner part of speculum bright green, outer part blackish; 
lesser wing-coverts plain slaty brown, the feathers not edged with buff as in the female; anterior wing- 
bar buff-colored, the posterior nearly white; head like the female’s. The nape does not become black 
until full maturity. Vermiculated feathers begin to appear early on the mantle and scapulars. 
Wing 223-228 mm.; bill 32-34; tarsus 36 (U.S. National Museum specimen, 68973, November 15, 
1874; British Museum specimens). 
Young in First Plumage: At first almost exaetly like the adult female except the lower side 
which is streaked and mottled with brown as in the young of the Common Pintail. 
Young in Down; Similar to the yoimg of Anas acuta but the sides of the head distinctly rufescent; 
a tinge of the same appears also on the throat, breast and sides (Salvadori, 1895). The single speci- 
men whieh I have seen eorresponds exactly with Salvadori’s description. 
DISTRIBUTION 
This species was first described from Kerguelen Island by Sharpe (1875). So far as known it is 
confined to that island, where successive travelers have been astonished by its great abundance 
(Kidder, 1875; Hiisker, 1876, p. 122; Moseley, 1879, p. 190; Studer, 1889; R. Hall, 1900; Loranchet, 
1916). 
The species found by Eaton on the Crozettes (Sharpe, 1877) was rediscovered by Vanhbffen 
(1905) and has been separated from Anas eaioni by Reichenow (1904) with the new name Anas 
drygalskii. 
GENERAL HABITS 
Haunts, This interesting duck, which is really an isolated race of the Common 
Pintail, existed in enormous numbers and in a state of profound innocence before 
the advent of man. It seems to depend on the tidal flats and estuaries for its food; 
but it occurs inland at elevations up to 2500 feet though it probably rarely goes 
higher than 1500 feet (Kidder, 1876; R. Hall, 1900). It seems likely that it must 
have sprung from some common ancestor of our northern Pintails rather than from 
that species itself. 
Wariness. Like most ducks that are found on uninhabited islands, these were 
by nature entirely unsuspicious until they were shot at by the visiting sealers, whalers 
or members of scientific expeditions. Moseley (1879) says the birds almost required 
to be kicked up before affording a shot, and in a valley which had been long un visited 
they actually came up to him of their own accord. Persecution, however, soon 
makes them as wild as any ducks, and they will now even post sentinels, or fly at the 
least suspicion of danger (Studer, 1889). 
Daily Movements. Their daily movements seem to be governed largely by the 
rise and fall of the tide. When driven off the mud-flats at high water they scatter 
in small groups to various parts of the interior (Studer, 1889). At nightfall they seem 
to congregate in larger numbers (Loranchet, 1916). 
