POCHARD. 435 



The Pochard so nearly related to the Canvass-Back, with 

 which it generally associates, is common to the north of 

 both continents. It is abundant in Russia, in rivers and 

 lakes in all latitudes, as well as in Denmark, the north of 

 Germany, and, as a bird of passage, is seen in England, 

 Holland, France, Italy, and in the course of the winter pro- 

 ceeds as far south as Egypt. In the present continent they 

 are found to breed in all parts of the fur countries, from the 

 50th parallel to their utmost boreal limits, and, dwelling in 

 fresh waters, are seen to associate generally with the Ana- 

 TiN-E, or proper Ducks, taking to the sea in autumn with 

 their broods, and appearing within the limits of the United 

 States towards the close of October ; they afterwards spread 

 themselves over the bays, rivers and fresh-water lakes, at no 

 great distance from the sea. In the bay of Chesapeake 

 and its tributary streams they are now seen in flocks with 

 the Canvass-Backs, and feed much on the same kind of 

 submarine grass or wrack-weed, on which they become very 

 fat, and are in flavor and size but little inferior to their com- 

 panions ; being often in fact, both sold and eaten for the 

 same, without the aid of any very sensible imposition. In 

 the months of February and March they are common in 

 the fresh waters of North and South Carolina, where many 

 pass the greater part of the winter ; they are also seen at 

 this season in the lower part of the Mississippi, around 

 Natchez, and probably accompany the flocks of the prece- 

 ding species near New Orleans. Brisson's Mexican Po- 

 chard, described by Fernandez, is also in all probability the 

 same bird. 



The Pochard dives and swims with great agility. They 

 are in England sometimes taken in the decoy pools in the 

 usual manner of driving, but are by no means welcome 

 visitors ; for by their continual diving they disturb the rest 

 of the fowls on the water, and thus prevent their being en- 



