ANATINJE — THE DUCKS — DAFILA. 
513 
Mr. Salvin obtained it at Balize, and found it common throughout the winter in 
the Lake of Duenas. It is given by Mr. B. Browne in his List of the Birds of Van- 
couver Island ; and Mr. J. A. Allen found it in abundance in the valley of Great 
Salt Lake. Major Wedderburn mentions the occurrence, in November, 1847, of 
several specimens — all young birds — in Bermuda. 
According to Dr. Cooper, the Pin-tail migrates in winter to the extreme southern 
limits of California, being then numerous along the Colorado, and at San Diego. He 
found it frequenting fresh-water ponds and inundated meadows, rarely appearing on 
the salt water. Being one of the best for the table of all the wild Ducks, it is much 
hunted ; and although very vigilant, great numbers are killed for the market. When 
associated with other species, it is the first to give the alarm. Unlike most writers, 
Dr. Cooper speaks of it as very noisy, quacking much like the Mallard, but not so 
loudly, diving but little, and feeding chiefly on vegetable food. In April it departs 
for the far north, where it breeds about the lakes in latitude 50°, and farther north, 
laying eight or nine bluish-green eggs. It returns southward in October, and winters 
in large numbers in Puget Sound and on the Columbia Kiver. 
It was found in winter near Mazatlan, Western Mexico, by Colonel Grayson, 
where, during that season, it is common. It was also found at Coahuana by Mr. 
John Xantus. 
In Dakota, Idaho, and Montana it is said to breed in all the reedy prairie sloughs, 
and to be more abundant in that region than any other of the Ducks. By the 1st of 
July nearly all the broods are hatched, and some of the young are nearly ready to fly. 
Dr. Walker met with this species on the coast of Greenland, near Godthaab ; and 
Professor Beinhardt mentions it as accidental, but not rare, being found in North as 
well as in South Greenland. Captain Blakiston found it inhabiting the Saskatche- 
wan, and the Bed Biver to Hudson’s Bay. It was also met with on the Mackenzie 
by Mr. Boss. Dr. Bichardson found it frequenting chiefly the clear lakes of the 
northern districts, and breeding in the Barren Grounds, being found, in spring and 
autumn only, in large numbers in the more southern wooded districts. 
The evidence of its almost universal presence in Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa 
is very abundant, and so voluminous, that one is embarrassed in selecting from the 
many authorities. Mr. Swinhoe found it both in Formosa and at Amoy. It was 
found in Egypt by Mr. E. C. Taylor ; and Captain E. G. Shelley afterward met with 
it in considerable numbers both in Egypt and in Nubia (“Ibis,” 1871). It was no- 
ticed in the Sahara by Mr. Tristram, and Mr. T. L. Powys found it common in winter 
in Greece. Mr. H. Whitely mentions meeting with it at Hakodadi, in Japan. It 
was also procured by the Perry Expedition on the Island of Niphon, near Yeddo, and 
Middendorff found it abundant in Siberia, chiefly in the wooded regions. Mr. H. 
Saunders records it as a not uncommon winter visitant in Spain. 
Mr. C. W. Shepard found it breeding in the vicinity of Lake My-vatn, in the 
northern part of Iceland. The birds were seen in considerable numbers ; but their 
nests were not so easily found, being placed singly at some distance from the lake, 
in lava-streams that were overgrown with bushes and grass. 
In Great Britain and Ireland, though occurring every winter, the Pin-tail is no 
longer an abundant species. It is found mostly on the eastern coast of Scotland, and 
in Ireland is a regular visitant, both on the coast and the inland waters. It breeds 
in various parts of Norway, up to and within the Polar Circle ; and some remain all 
winter on the southern coast. It also breeds throughout Sweden, Lapland, Finland, 
and Northern Bussia, in Poland, the northern parts of Germany, Denmark, and other 
countries. During its migrations it is found in every portion of Europe. 
vol. i. — 65 
