Manchester Memoirs, Vol. Iviii. (1914), No. 9. 21 



time does not prove that they have left the district. 

 Occasionally a bird will remain for most if not all of the 

 summer, but we have no evidence that the Pochard has 

 nested on Rostherne up to the present time ; at any time 

 this species, which is extending its nesting area, may 

 remain to breed. As a rule the flocks of Pochards are 

 not so large as those of Tufted Ducks, but from time to 

 time many hundreds may be seen together. In most 

 years the majority of the birds depart in April, but they 

 begin to return in July, and the number gradually increases 

 until November. The largest numbers are usually to be 

 seen when the smaller meres are ice-bound. 



The Tufted Duck has not 

 Nyroca fuligula (Linnaeus), only increased in numbers 



as a winter visitor to most 

 British waters, but is rapidly extending its breeding range. 

 On Rostherne it was, until about 1890, a winter visitor in 

 varying numbers, and, as a rule, all birds left in March ; 

 since then, however, there have been changes, which at first 

 showed themselves in the lengthening of the spring stay, 

 and the early return of the birds towards the end of 

 summer. In 1906 one or two birds remained throughout 

 the summer, but it was not until 1908 that the presence 

 of young birds on the water suggested that one pair at 

 least had nested in the vicinity. The parentSj however, 

 managed to keep the very young birds hidden, and we 

 failed to find a nest, until at the beginning of September, 

 191 3, we surprised a duck with five young in down on the 

 open mere. This was a late brood, and it is possible 

 that earlier broods had been brought off, for there were 

 young birds, able to fly, on the water at the same time. 

 From 1908 onwards there were usually two or three 

 drakes, sometimes, but not always, accompanied by a 

 duck, on the water in May and June ; it is more likely 



