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PINTAIL DUCK. 



PINTAIL. CRACKER. SPRIGTAIL. LADY DUCK. SEA-PHEASANT. 



Anas acuta, ...... Lrsnusus. 



Querquedula acuta, ...... Selbt. 



Drtfila caudacuta, . . ■ ... Leach. 



Canard pilet, ...... Temmince. 



Anas — A Duck. Acuta — Sharp or pointed, from the form of its tail. 



"We have always considered the Pintail to be the most elegant of our ducks with which 

 we were acquainted, and any one observing the graceful motions and delicate forms of 

 those semi-domesticated in the ornamental waters of St. James' Park, London, will, we 

 think, agree with us in our opinion. Its chaste colouring, too, harmonizes with its 

 elegant and slender form. 



It is a winter visitor to our shores, arriving frequently as early as September, and 

 leaving us in the spring. 



It is by no means uncommon along the south coast of England, except in Devon 

 and Cornwall, where it is said to be rare; thus we find W. P. Cocks, Esq. recording in 

 ; 'The Naturalist," volume L, page 138, the occurrence of only two specimens at Falmouth. 

 On the eastern coast it is frequently met with; but Yarrell states that it is seldom 

 obtained in the extreme northern countries. It is however regularly procured, though 

 only in limited numbers, in the York market, which is supplied from decoys in the 

 county, and on the borders of the Humber, in Lincolnshire. 



In Scotland it is not common. Sir William Jardine mentions having shot, in the 

 south of Scotland, a pair in immature plumage, in the month of September, feeding at 

 dusk in some wet stubble, in company with the Mallard and Common Teal. He also 

 very justly remarks that we must not judge of the frequency of its occurrence in this 

 country, by the numbers to be met with in the markets, which are now very frequently 

 largely supplied from decoys in Holland and France. This observation holds good also 

 with regard to several of our other Ducks and game birds. 



The Eeverend James Smith, in speaking of the Kiver Dovern, in Banffshire, says — 



