210 ANATID^. 



of other kinds may be around, the Pintail is always 

 the first to give the alarm. They are generally at a 

 sufficient distance to be out of range from shore, and it is 

 useless to attempt to get a shot at them by approaching 

 in a boat. The only plan, therefore, is to lie in wait, 

 secreted near the SAvamp or low ground which they are 

 noticed to frequent, and to which, late in the afternoon, 

 they are sure to flock for the purpose of feeding. 



As this ambush should be continued so long as there 

 is any chance of fresh flocks arriving, that is, till after 

 dusk, it is necessary to mark carefully the spots where 

 the dead birds fall, in order that they may be afterwards 

 recovered by the retriever, which, till then, of course 

 should not be permitted to leave the cache, or place of 

 concealment, on any account. 



The Pintail breeds in the solitary tracts far north, 

 visiting Canada in the Fall, en route to Mexico. Its 

 nest is formed amongst thick rushes, and the eggs are 

 eight or nine in number, and of a greenish blue, and not 

 " dull chocolate colour," as certain writers have affirmed. 



The immature birds are often mistaken for those of 

 some other species, as they are without the long tail 

 feathers, arid their plumage displays the characteristics of 

 both male and female equally. 



Wilson, after a careful examination and comparison 

 of the American Teal {Nettion Carolinensis) with that of 



