804 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



brown, the feathers edged with reddish white ; wing-coverts brown, 

 edged white ; lower parts pale fulvous, obscurely spotted with 

 brown ; speculum dull without the green gloss ; tail, with the two 

 medial feathers, scarcely longer than the others. 



The males of this species are said, by an actual change of colour 

 in the feathers, to assume the female plumage for a short time after 

 incubation, but to change it at the autumnal moult. 



The Pintail is one of the most numerous winter visitants to 

 India in the present sub-family, frequenting large tanks and jheels, 

 often in immense flocks, and flying with great rapidity. Its 

 long brown neck and lengthened tail causes it to be readily dis- 

 tinguished when in flight. Its call is soft and subdued, and it is by 

 no means garrulous. Few Ducks are brought to the different mar- 

 kets for sale in such abundance as this species, and it is very ex- 

 cellent eating. Like most of the Ducks, it has a wide geographical 

 distribution throughout both Continents, and breeds in northern 

 regions, laying eight or ten bluish-white eggs. 



Another species of Pintail is D. bahamensis, L., the type of 

 Pcecilonetta, Eyton. 



Gen. Mareca, Stephens. 



Char. — Bill short, raised at the base, narrowing towards the tip; 

 nail moderate ; lamella; distant, projecting in the middle of the 

 bill ; tail short, cuneate, of fourteen feathers ; hind-toe small with a 

 narrow web. 



The Wigeons have the bill shorter than in the wild Duck 

 and Teal, more raised at the base and narrow at the tip, and with 

 the lamellae short and distant, more like those of the Anserine*. 

 In accordance with this structure, they live chiefly on grasses, &c, 

 which they are said to pluck like geese. In the form of the tail, 

 and also in that of the tracheal labyrinth, they most resemble the 

 Pintails. 



963. Mareca Penelope, Linn. 



Anas apud Linn^us— Blytet, Cat, 1778— Sykes, Cat. 219— 

 A. fistularis, Brisson— Jerdon, Cat. 380— Gould, Birds of 

 Europe, pi. 359— -Cheyun, Nep. 



