The Pintail 



her dextrous 

 turns and curves 

 he was able to 

 draw near only at 

 intervals. When- 

 ever he did suc- 

 ceed, he always 

 passed under the 

 female, and kept 

 so close to her 

 that their wings 

 clattered to- 

 gether with a 

 noise like a 

 watchman's 

 rattle, and aud- 

 ible a long dis- 

 tance. This chase 

 lasted half an 

 hour, and after 

 five of the pursuers had dropped off one by one, the pair remaining (and 

 I think the male was the. same that originated the pursuit) settled in one 

 of the ponds." 



The Pintail is a regular but not a common breeder in California, 

 being found chiefly in the overflow^ country in the San Joaquin area, and 

 about some of the lesser lakes of the North. The species is usually the 

 very first to leave for its major breeding area in the high North, and the 



Taken in Oregon 



PINTAIL DUCK ON NEST 



Photo by Finley and Bohlman 



Taken near Santa Barbara 



ESCAPE 



Photo by the Author 



1792 



