THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
streaked on the abdomen and under tail -coverts with brown; under 
wing -coverts and axillaries ashy -brown mottled with white. Total length 
about 19 inches; bill 1*9 inch; wing 9*5 inches; tail 4 0 inches; tarsus 
1 *5 inch. 
General distribution. — The pintail inhabits the greater part of the 
northern hemisphere, and in the summer its range is circumpolar. It 
breeds in Iceland, the Faeroe Islands and the northern parts of Europe 
about as far south as 50° N. latitude, also in some numbers in Southern 
Spain and France, in the Rhone delta. In Asia it ranges to the Pacific, and 
it has been found nesting on the Yenesei as far north as 72°. In winter 
numbers migrate to Northern Africa, including Egypt and Southern 
Abyssinia; also Asia Minor, Persia, India, Ceylon, Burma, China, Japan 
and Borneo. It also occurs in the Hawaiian Islands and Laysan. In North 
America it is met with in Alaska up to 72°, and extends eastwards to 
Labrador ; while in winter it is found as far south as the West Indies and 
Panama. 
Distribution in the British Isles. — To the British Isles it is chiefly a 
winter-visitor, between September and April, but from time to time a 
few have remained to nest in Scotland, and possibly in Ireland. In recent 
years a small number have bred annually in the Orkney Islands and on 
Loch Leven in Fife, and their numbers seem to be increasing, thanks 
to the protection which has now been afforded them. 
Nest and eggs . — ^The nest is placed in a clump of rough grass not far 
from fresh water, and is made of dried grass, etc., and thickly lined with 
down. The eggs are laid between May and June, according to locality; 
in Orkney well -grown broods of young may be seen early in June, but 
in North Russia, etc., the first eggs appear to be laid about that date. 
They vary in number from seven to ten, and in colour from greenish -buff 
to greyish -green, the average measurements being about 2*1 by 1*5 
inches. Incubation lasts about twenty -four days. 
The food consists chiefly of fresh -water plants, insects and small 
molluscs, and the flesh is particularly excellent. 
Though the pintail is a fresh -water duck during the summer, in many 
parts it resorts to salt water during the winter months. At that season 
large flocks may be seen composed entirely of drakes, a peculiarity almost 
confined to this species. It is constantly to be found in company with 
flocks of wigeon, and has often been known to pair with that species and 
with the mallard, the offspring being perfectly fertile. 
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