178 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
RED-BILLED PINTAIL. 
(Pectlonetta erythrorhyncha. Dafila erythrorhyncha). 
It is to be hoped that this pretty African Pintail may 
become better known to amateurs. In the Zoological 
Gardens it bred the year after purchase, but then died off; 
but new specimens have since been obtained. It is known 
also as the ‘“‘ Crimson-billed Duck,” or ‘ Red-billed Teal,” and 
is common in South Africa, where, according to Layard, it is 
found in little flocks of from six to eight, in the vicinity of 
water. It is most plentiful after the heavy rains, at which time 
it is shot in considerable numbers in the south-east of Cape 
Colony, being considered excellent eating. It somewhat 
resembles the Bahama Pintail, but is larger, and the wings and 
tail are more blunt than in Dajfila bahamensis. From the 
author above quoted we learn that the Red-billed Pintail breeds 
among rushes, where it forms a large flat nest of sedge and dry 
grass. 
Male.—Crown of head dark brown; upper parts brown, 
darkest on the shoulders and back, and edged with a paler 
shade; chin, lower cheek, and underparts white; sides and 
breast ornamented with large irregular brown spots; narrow 
wing-bar of pink, fawn, and white ; legs and tail slate-colour ; 
bill red, wilh a lilac tinge; eyes reddish-hazel. Dissection 
shows a singular enlargement of the wind-pipe, resembling a 
bladder, which is absent in the female, a fact noted by Mr. 
Frank Oates, in his work on South African travel. 
Female.—Similar, but the bill duller, with a brown 
shade, and the legs blackish-slate. 
Young in down. Resemble the nestlings of other Teal 
with a pink bill. 
Egg.—Creamy-white; six to ten innumber. June—July. 
