THK I’lNTAIL DUCK'. 
1>87 
THE PINTAIL DUCK. 
Anas acuta. 
The frequency with which tlie Longtailed Duck is termed 
“ the Ihntail ” by those of the inhabitants who have access to 
works on natural history, has led to the supposition that the 
true Pintail is not only very abundant in Shetland, but 
remains upon the coasts during the whole winter. The con- 
trary, however, is the case. A few small parties, seldom 
numbering more than half a dozen, visit us in spring ; but, so 
far as I have been able to learn, the bird is never seen in 
Shetland either in autumn or winter. Its appearance seems 
to be due more to the force of circumstances than to choice. I 
cannot find among my notes more than one instance of its 
occurrence in fine weather; so deep, indeed, has become my 
impression as to this, that the Pintail is always associated 
in my imagination with storms of driving sleet or snow, and 
the surface of a loch torn into spray. Once only I met with an 
opportunity of observing the Pintail in fine weather, and that 
was one still Sunday evening about the middle of May. From 
my concealment among the willows at Halligarth I obtained 
an excellent view of two ducks and a drake, swimming about in 
the little fresh-water loch below the house. For a long time 
they continued busily groping in the mud and grave], noAV and 
then desisting Avith one accord from their employment for a 
minute or more, and sitting AAuth their heads upright and necks 
at full stretch, as if listening for the repetition of some sound 
Avhich had aroused them. Gradually approaching my side of 
the loch, feeding aU the time, they at length landed upon the 
coarse grass, and, after a little time spent in trimming their 
plumage, commenced a systematic attack upon the Avinged 
insects Avhich their advance disturbed, but of Avhat kind I 
could not ascertain. Tlie easy and even gi’aceful manner in 
AAdiich they effected their repeated captures Avas to me very 
surprising ; they ran straight forAvard, rapidly and liglitly, giving 
