The Ducks. 147 



Like the Pochard, this species has a chestnut head and a 



'^^^ white wing-speculum, but, when adult, is always distinguishable 



by its white iris, though in young birds this is brown or brownish- 

 POCHARD. ' o ^ o 



,., , grey. It has occurred in different parts of England, Ireland and 



{Nyroca nyroca.) >=> j r o > 



Scotland, but is only an irregular visitor, coming to us in 



winter and in spring. It breeds throughout Central and Southern Europe, as far 



east as Central Asia and Cashmere. The White-eyed Pochard is a fresh-water 



Duck and resembles the Common Pochard in its habits. It feeds on all kinds of 



insects and grubs, as well as water-weeds, which it obtains under the water, being 



a most e.xpert diver. The nest is built on the ground, and is made of dry flags and 



rushes, and lined with down and a few feathers. The eggs are from nine to 



fourteen in number, and are of a creamy-brown colour ; the)' measure from two to 



two-and-a-quarter inches in length. 



In this species the back is uniform, and the head is very 



THE TUFTED distinctly crested, while the wing-speculum is white. It nests 

 SCAUP DUCK. c» * 



,„,.,,,.,, in several places in England, Ireland and Scotland, generally on 



(FuUgula fuligula.) ' a ' • o j 



the shores of inland lakes. It likewise breeds throughout 

 Northern Europe and extends to the Pacific Coast of Siberia, wintering in the 

 Mediterranean countries, the Indian Peninsula and North-eastern Africa: it is also 

 said to nest on some of the Abyssinian lakes. It is a fresh-water Duck, though 

 man}' occur on the sea-coasts during the winter. Sometimes at the latter season 

 of the year tliey appear in large numbers on inland lakes in company with VVigeon, 

 and are very shy and circumspect. They feed on frogs, water-insects and leaves 

 and stems of water-plants, and even on small fishes. The nest is placed in a 

 tussock, or on grass-land, near the water, and is made of grass or sedge, 

 lined with down. The eggs are from eight to twelve in number, of a stone- 

 colour or greenish brown, and they measure about two-and-a-quarter inches in 

 length. 



In this species the back is greyish-white, vermiculated all over 



"^^^ with black lines. There is no crest, as in the Tufted Duck, 

 SCAUP DUCK. . , ^ , , . , ^, 



,„ ,. , ., , but, like that species, the Scaup has a white speculum. Ihe 



{FuUgula mania.) ' r > r r 



female is browner than the male, but has some giey specklings 

 on the back. It has been said by Dr. Stark to breed on Loch Lomond, but otherwise 

 it is only known as a winter visitor to Great Britain. It nests in the arctic 

 regions of North America, as well as in Northern Europe and Asia, visiting India, 

 China and the Mediterranean in the winter, when it also occurs as far south as the 

 West Indies. The Scaup is an expert diver and obtains much of its food under 

 water ; it is gregarious in its habits, and generally gathers together in large flocks. 

 The nest is placed on a sloping bank, not far from water, and is well 

 concealed, being often built under the shadow of a bush ; it is merely a hole 

 in the ground, lined with sedge and down from the bird's body. The eggs 



10* 



