POCHARD . 313 



from the Atlantic seaboard in the west to Lake Baikal and so on to 

 Japan in the east. The central districts of Europe form its main 

 breeding-range, which does not extend much farther north than the 

 latitude of St. Petersburg, namely, to Lake Ladoga in latitude 60^, 

 and includes Poland, Germany, and Denmark. P'arther east the 

 Caspian apparently marks the southern breeding-range ; but in winter 

 these birds visit the Mediterranean countries in considerable numbers, 

 and also arrive in India and China in flocks which ma)' be counted 

 by thousands. From October or November to March is the period 

 of its winter-sojourn in India, and probably much the same is true with 

 regard to the Mediterranean countries. Winter is also the season 

 when pochards chiefly appear in the British Islands, where, however, 

 a certain number remain for the breeding-season. Where they enjoy 

 effective protection in England, the number of these nesting pochards is 

 stated to have shown a decided tendency to increase of late years. 

 Norfolk, as in so many analogous instances, harbours the greater number 

 of these breeding-birds, but nests are also recorded from Yorkshire 

 and some of the Metropolitan counties. On many Scottish lochs 

 these ducks make their appearance not unfrequently in the middle of 

 winter, but occasionally considerable numbers visit the western coast. 

 Here Loch Vasapol, in the island of Tiree, off the Argyll coast, is a 

 favourite resort of these birds, and in the summer of 1891 a duck, 

 accompanied by three ducklings, was seen on this piece of water. 

 Fifeshire is also recorded as a breeding-place, and on at least one 

 occasion the nest has been found in Orkney. In Ireland during 

 winter pochards sometimes make their appearance in considerable 

 numbers ; and there are statements as to their having bred in several 

 Irish counties. 



The habits of all the pochards are very similar, and a brief 

 account of those of the present species will therefore practically 

 suffice for the group generally. In the main these birds resort to 

 inland waters — apparently always for breeding purposes — but they may 

 nevertheless be seen from time to time on the coast. In India the 

 large pieces of water known as jhils, which are not dissimilar in 

 general character to the Norfolk Broads, are the favourite resorts of 

 pochards, and in such situations they may not unfrequently be seen 

 in flocks of thousands. Less commonly they associate in small 

 parties, or may even go about singly ; and such parties or single 

 birds at times take up their quarters on rivers. Like the rest of 

 their kin, they obtain their food, which is mainly of a vegetable 

 nature, by diving and pulling it up with their beaks from the 



