144 miscellakeous notes and obsehvations. 



Ornithology. 



A Brood of Pochards reared hy a Biver-Buclc. — In June last a 

 tufted diver-duck was observed on an island in the lake in my 

 grounds, sitting on a nest of eggs whicli were supposed to be her own. 

 In the course of time she hatched five young ones, which she tended 

 with the greatest care, diving for weeds with which to feed them. 

 They soon began to dive on their own account. It was a very pretty 

 and interesting sight to see these active little birds diving almost 

 continually. Frequently the mother and young ones would be 

 down at the same time, keeping under water a good while. When 

 they attained their full size and plumage I was greatly surprised 

 to see that they were pochards, two drakes and three ducks, 

 perfect in plumage. I have a pair of tame pochards on the lake, 

 so can only presume that the pochard laid the eggs and that the 

 tufted diver took possession of them and hatched them. — Henry 

 Manser, Hoddesdon. 



The Beath of a Buck caused ly a Leech. — In IS'ovember last a 

 tame shell-duck (one of a pair I have had for three years) was 

 found dead on the island. It was in perfect health, good condition, 

 and splendid plumage. I could not account for its death till some 

 four days after. When a taxidermist was skinning it he discovered 

 a leech, still alive, fastened to the roof of the mouth, where it had 

 sucked a hole as large as a small marble, and so had caused the 

 death of the duck. — Henry Manser, Hoddesdon. 



