146 



British Birds. 



it is found in the Black and Caspian Seas, and occurs in lar^e numbers in North- 

 western India at that season of the year. 



It is a fresh-water Duck and frequents open broads and lagoons, where it feeds 

 on frogs and small fishes, shells and insects. The nest is placed close to the water, 

 and is made of dead leaves and stems of rushes. The eggs are from seven to nine 

 in number and, when fresh, are bright green, but fade to greenish-white : their 

 length is about two-and-a-quarter inches. 



The Pochard has not so broad a bill as the members of the 

 following genus Fiiligula, and it has not such prominent 

 indentations on the upper mandible as in the genus Netta. The 

 rufous head and the grey back, finely vermiculated with black, and the grey wing- 



THE POCHARD. 



[Nyroca nyroca.) 



The White-hved Pochard. 



The ScAui' Duck. 



The Pochard. 



speculum, serve to distinguish the Pochard, which also has the bill leaden-blue with 

 a black base and tip. 



The present species breeds in a few places in England and Scotland, and is said to 

 be increasing in numbers. In Ireland it is also belie\-ed to nest, but at present positive 

 proof of the fact is wanting. It does not breed in Xorthern I-airope, but is found 

 from Central and Southern Europe to Central Asia and I-'astern Siberia. It is a 

 fresh-water Duck, but is seen on the sea-coasts in winter. It feeds chiefly at 

 night and is a fine diver. The nest is made of dead grass and sedge, and is lined 

 with down ; the eggs are from seven to ten in number, or even more ; they are 

 greenish or greenish stone-colour, and measure about two-and-a-half inches in 

 length. 



