196 
AXAS ACUTA. 
and Tarious parts of France and Italy ; mijrrates 
Sweden, and is found throughout Russia and Siberia- 
It is a very quick diver, so as to make it difficult to h* 
shot ; flies also with great rapidity, and utters a not^ 
not unlike that of the mallard, but louder. Is fond ® 
salines and ponds overgrown nith reeds and rusha'; 
Feeds during the day, as well as in the morning a® 
evening. 
261. AjXJS ACUIJ, LIXNJETJS and WILSON. PINTAIL DCCK- 
WILSON, PLATE LSVIII. PIG. III. — EDINEUltCH COLLEGE MUSKf’'' 
The pintail, or, as it is sometimes c.alled, the sprigta|j| 
is a common and well known duck in our markets, 
esteemed for the excellence of its flesh, and is genera')- 
in good order. It is a shy and cautious bird, feeds ' 
the mud flats, and shalloM' fresh water marshes; *’1 
rarely resides on the sea coast. It seldom diveSj ' 
very noisy, and h.-is a kind of chattering note. Wh*”' 
wounded, they will sometimes dive, and, coming 
conceal themselves under the how of the boat, mo''"' 
round as it moves. Are vigilant in giving the ala''"J 
on the approach of the gunner, who often curses 
watchfulness of the sprigtaii. Some ducks, 
aroused, disperse in different directions ; hut the spfr 
tails, when alarmed, cluster confusedly together as tl'*- 
mount, and thereby afford the sportsman a fair opP",^ 
tunity of raking them with advantage. They gene'" a 
leave the Delaware about the middle of March, on • 
way to their native regions, the north, where they " 
most numerous. They inh.abit the whole north" 
parts ot Europe and Asia, and, doubtless, the 
ponding latitudes of America. Are said, likewise, to i 
found in Italy. Great flocks of them are sometimes sp"' iJ 
along the isles and shores of Scotland and Ireland, " ^ 
on the interior lakes of both these countries. t)n 
* Latham. 
