﻿PINTAIL. 95 



November, and the return, or spring migration, in March and 

 April, depending on an early or late spring ; some few remain 

 to breed on the European continent, but we have no ac- 

 count of their breeding in Britain, although many localities 

 might induce them to do so. 



The chosen locality of the Pintail is very much like that 

 of the mallard, but it rarely approaches the cover of trees 

 or osiers, preferring the reedy borders of lakes, ponds, and 

 rivers. 



During the day it feeds on extensive, green, muddy 

 flats, or remains on the surface of the water at a proper and 

 safe distance from the shore, and at night it comes to the 

 borders of the before-mentioned waters. On the sea-coast 

 the present species is only found during the time of migra- 

 tion in places where some quiet inlet or bay affords the 

 required muddy nooks during low-water, and under such 

 circumstances it is only seen in companies consisting of thou- 

 sands of other birds of the duck tribe. 



The food of the Pintail consists in insects, such as worms, 

 beetles, snails, the spawn of frogs and fish ; also vegetable 

 matter, such as blades of grass, seeds, and the roots of water-' 

 plants, and corn, to obtain which it flies to corn and 

 stubble fields. Small fish and frogs it only consumes for 

 want of better provender, but not by choice. 



In confinement the Pintail must be fed in the same way as 

 the mallard ; oats it prefers greatly to barley. 



The general appearance of the Pintail is by far more ele- 

 gant than that of any other duck, in consequence of its more 

 slender shape ; its lengthened tail-feathers contribute also to 

 its beauty, and its long and slender neck frequently resembles 

 in its motions that of the swan ; its flight, walk, and swimming 

 capacities are like those of the mallard, but it has a very re- 

 markable propensity to swim low in the water, with its neck 



