ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 173 
In their habits and general characteristics the Pintails 
resemble the Wigeon, but are immediately to be identified by 
the singular elongation (in the males) of the two central tail 
feathers. 
THE PINTAIL. 
(Dajila acuta). 
The Common Pintail is a winter and spring visitant to 
Great Britain, and it is extensively dispersed over Europe, 
Asia, and the northern parts of America; the long sharply- 
pointed tail-feathers of the drake have caused it to be known 
as ‘‘Sea Pheasant.” The Pintail usually arrives in the autumn, 
occasionally breeding in Ireland, where Sir R. P. Gallwey states 
that he has seen as many as three to five hundred together, 
while Mr. Seebohm describes them as assembling in thousands 
on the low land near the river Petchora, in Siberia. The male 
experiences a change of plumage during the summer months, 
when he becomes for a time like the female, only slightly more 
red on the under parts, reassuming the masculine feathering by 
the middle of October. The Common Pintail has been 
successfully bred in captivity, both in Zoological Gardens and 
also by amateurs, the parents being pinioned birds. A pair of 
Pintails may usually be obtained in Leadenhall Market for 
about 3os. 
Male.—Neck and breast snow white; cheek outlined 
with white ; head, neck, back, and flanks grey, pencilled with 
black ; brilliant wing-bar of green and violet ; bill lead-colour ; 
feet and legs dark; tail feathers, much elongated, black; eye 
yellow. 
Female.—Head and neck brown, feathers edged with 
lighter ; white throat absent ; upper body, tail, and wings brown, 
edged with white; under parts yellowish-white ; tail much 
shorter than male; legs and feet brownish-grey ; bill light slate 
colour. 
