1078 ANAS ACUTA. 



Dr. Scully ; it is likewise plentiful in Lower Bengal, according to Blyth. Southwards in the Deccan it has 

 been observed, but not in any numbers. In Chota Nagpur it is found on the larger rivers, and is abundant 

 at Manbhum ; in the adjacent country it is recorded from Lohardugga, Sambalpur, and Raipur. In Furreed- 

 pore it is found in large flocks; further east in Cachar it is rare, as also in Burmah, having been only met 

 with in the Engmah swamp, while further south it is merely a straggler, having been procured but once near 

 Moulmein. Beyond Indian limits it is very common on passage, in Mongolia, being abundant in the Hoang-ho 

 valley and also at Lake Hanka at the end of March, passing northwards and but few remaining to breed. In 

 China it is plentiful on passage twice a year, passing the winter in the central and southern provinces, as also 

 in Formosa. In Japan it is common in winter in Tokio, and passes Hakodadi in spring and autumn (Blakiston) . 

 It is found throughout Eastern Siberia from the Amoor northwards to the Boganida, where Middendorff 

 found it breeding; on the Amoor it is not so common as other species. Westwards, on the Yenesay, 

 Mr. Seebohm found it one of the commonest of Ducks. In Kashgharia Dr. Scully observed it occasionally in 

 March, and ascertained that it bred at Maralbashi. Further north Dr. Finsch found it on the Marakul lake 

 near the Ala-taw mountains ; it occurs on passage in the east and north-west of Tm-kestan, and possibly breeds 

 in the south-west (Severtzoff) . In Palestine Canon Tristram found it on the brook Kedron ; and in the 

 Sinaitic peninsula Mr. C. Wyatt met with it, as also Mr. Danford in Asia Minor, between January and April. 

 As regards its European distribution, my space permits me merely to say that it is found (in some places 

 commonly) throughout the south from Greece and Turkey to Portugal in winter, occurring likewise in Malta 

 and Sardinia ; further north in Central Europe, including Austria and Southern Germany, it is mostly a bird 

 of passage, some few only remaining to breed. It is a winter bird in France, and one of passage chiefly in 

 Holland and Belgium ; but it breeds in Denmark, as also in North Germany and Central Russia. North- 

 wards it ranges to Archangel in Russia and to Finland ; while in Scandinavia it breeds beyond the Arctic 

 circle. On the Petchora Mr. Seebohm found it very abundant, and procured large numbers of its eggs. It is 

 found, in winter, throughout Great Britain and Ireland, but chiefly on the east coast of the former, as far 

 north as the Shetlands ; and it is supposed by Mr. Hancock to have bred at Prestwick Car, in Northumberland. 

 It likewise visits Iceland in the summer. Turning south again, we have it found in winter in Africa as far 

 south as Senegal on the west coast, and the Kordofan swamps and Blue Nile on the east, wintering in 

 numbers on the Delta of the Nile, according to Von Heuglin. In America it has a wide range on the coast, 

 extending from North Greenland southwards as far as the isthmus of Panama, being also found in the 

 interior of the United States and on the Saskatchewan. Messrs. Sclater and Salvin record it from Cuba and 

 Jamaica ; and in Florida it is occasionally very abundant on passage. On the west coast it has been procured in 

 Vancouver's Island ; and Mr. Dresser states that it is found in the interior of the continent of North America. 



Habits. — This species, which is one of the handsomest Ducks frequenting the Pakearctic region, is mostly 

 a freshwater bird, associating in large flocks in the cold weather on open and extensive sheets of water ; but 

 in the breeding-season it is found sometimes about the sea-coast in shallow bays. As observed in Europe it is 

 said to be very wary and shy, even more so than the Mallard ; but I find that Mr. Hume noticed that in 

 Sindh it had a habit of sitting in parties amongst low water-plants, with nothing but its long white neck 

 showing, and when basking thus it would often admit of a tolerably near approach. It flies with great speed, 

 and is said to be hard to bring down ; its graceful form imparts to it an elegant appearance when in the water, 

 and it is said to swim high, with its neck curved like a Swan's. Its note is not harsh, like that of most Ducks, and 

 is not so often littered, the bird being of rather a silent nature. Montagu writes that its notes are " extremely 

 soft and inward ; the courting-note is always attended with a jerk of the head ; the other greatly resembles 

 that of a very young kitten. In the spring the male indicates his softer jjassions by suddenly raising the body 

 upright in the water, and bringing his bill close to his breast, uttering at the same time a soft note. This 

 gesticulation is frequently followed by a singular jerk of the hinder part of the body, which in turn is thrown 

 up above the water." The food of the Pintail consists of vegetable and insect matter, as the roots of 

 water-plants, grain, seeds, &c. are partaken of, as well as insects, larvae, &c. Its flesh is considered to be 

 excellent eating. 



Nidificution. — The Pintail breeds in May and June ; in the latter month Mr. Seebohm took its eggs on 



