515 



THE EED-CEESTED WHISTLmG DUCK. 



FULIGULA RUFINA. 



Feathers of the crown elongated, silky, forming a crest ; head, neck, and throat 

 reddish bro-wn ; lower part of the neck, breast, belly, and abdomen black ; 

 back, wings, and tail pale brown ; flanks, bend of the wing, a large spot near 

 the shoulders, speculum, and base of the primaries white ; bill, irides, and 

 feet red. Female— crest less tufted ; head dark brown ; neck ash-brown ; 

 breast and flanks yellowish brown ; belly and abdomen grey ; back, wings, and 

 tail brown, tinged with ochre ; no white spot on the shoulder ; speculimi 

 greyish white and brown ; bill and feet reddish brown. Length twenty-one 

 inches. Eggs olive-brown. 



A NATIVE of the east of Europe, but occasionally ajDpearing 

 in other parts of the Continent. It was first noticed as a 

 visitor to Britain by Yarrell, in 1826, in which year several 

 specimens were obtained. Since that time others have 

 been shot in various parts of England, of which one was 

 killed out of a flock of eighteen on the Tliames. Little 

 is known of its history. 



THE commo:n^ pochard. 



FULIGULA FERINA. 



Head and neck bright chestnut ; breast, upper part of the back, and rump black; 

 back, scapulars, flanks, and abdomen grejish white, marked with numerous 

 fine wavy lines ; no speculum ; bill black, with a broad lead-coloured 

 transverse band ; irides bright orange ; feet lead colour, the membranes black. 

 Female smaller; head, neck, and breast, reddish brown; throat white, 

 mottled with reddish ; large browTi spots on the flanks ; wavy lines on the 

 back less distinct. Length nineteen inches. Eggs greenish white. 



A HARDY northern bird of wide geographical range, with 

 considerable power of flight, a skilful diver, and not par- 

 ticular as to diet, the Pochard is an abundant species. 

 A few instances are on record of its having bred in this 

 country, and in Holland and in some parts of France it is 

 to be found all the year round. But it is principally as a 

 winter visitant that it is known in the south of Europe. 

 In Norfolk Red-Headed Pochards are perhaps more nu- 

 merous than any other kind of Duck which faUs to the 

 gun of the seaside fowler. Small parties of these birds 

 may frequently be seen by day flying over the sea, or 

 ll2'^ 



