436 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



ticed into the tunnel nets ; nor are they willingly decoyed 

 with the other ducks. They are said to walk awkwardly 

 and with difficulty. It is also added that their cry more 

 resembles the hollow hiss of a serpent, than the voice of a 

 bird. Their flight is more rapid than that of the Common 

 Wild Duck, and the noise of their wings very different. 

 The troop forms a close body in the air, but they do not 

 proceed in angular lines, or obey any particular leader, nor 

 have they any call sufficient for the purpose. On their first 

 arrival they are restless and watchful, alighting on the 

 water, and then again wheeling and reconnoitering in the 

 air for some time uncertain in the choice of their move- 

 ments. The only time when they can be approached within 

 gun-shot, like so many other of the species, is about day- 

 break from an ambush or the shelter of some concealment. 



In tlie London markets these Ducks are sold under the 

 name of Dun-Birds, and are very deservedly esteemed as a 

 delicate and well flavored game. 



Although it has has been said that this species will not 

 live in confinement ; Mr. Rennie states, that no bird appears 

 sooner reconciled to the menagerie ; and one in his pos- 

 session w^hich had been badly wounded in the w^ing, took 

 immediately to feeding on oats, and after three years 

 confinement appeared very tame, and remained in good 

 health. 



According to Temminck they nest in reed marshes, laying 

 from 12 to 13 greenish-white eggs. 



The Pochard is about 22 inches in length, sometimes less ; the 

 wing 9 inches ; the bill above, about 2 inches long; the tarsus 1 

 inch 7^ lines. In the male, the head and neck appears very full of 

 feathers and of a deep glossy reddish-chestnut ; tlie base of the neck, 

 breast, fore part of the back, rump, and upper and under tail coverts, 

 pitch-black. Scapulars, interscapulars, flanks, thighs, and vent, 

 finely undulated with white and clove-brown. Belly whitish, with 

 faint lines. Posterior part of the back blackish-brown, partially 



