346 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



Mr. Booth observes that, during the -winters he shot in 

 Pevensey Level, he frequently saw the Shoveler. It breeds 

 in several counties o£ England and Scotland, forming its 

 nest of grass and down. 



PINTAIL DUCK. 



Bafila acuta. 



The Pintail comes to our coast regularly in October, and 

 large flocks are often met with at sea, whence they come 

 into the mud flats to feed at night, on mollusks and small 

 Crustacea. It is also found in the marshes, especially on 

 those parts which are flooded. It generally prefers the 

 shallow water, where its long neck can reach 'the vegetation 

 at the bottom. 



Though a somewhat silent bird, it occasionally utters a 

 hoarse sort of quack as well as a low guttural grunting note. 

 It does not breed in Britain, but the nest is described as 

 built among grass, in dry places, at some distance from the 

 water, and is rather deep and lined with dead grass. It is the 

 first of the Ducks to enter the decoy, and one of the best 

 for the table. It has been killed at Pagham, and at Chi- 

 chester Harbour, as well as at Amberley, also in Hentield 

 Level, and at Pulborough, but the greatest number are met 

 with on the sea. I remember seeing fifty or sixty in 

 February 1861, a mile or two off Rye Harbour, Mr. 

 "WoUey found the nest near Muonioniska, sunk in the moss 

 in a marshy spot, and lined with down. 



