ANSEEES. 



POCHARD. 



413 



ANATIDuE. 



FuLiGULA FERiNA (Linnseus*). 

 THE POCHARD, 



OE DUN-BIRD. 



Fuligida ferina. 



The Pochard, or Dun-bird (for this species is known by 

 various names, as Red-headed Poker, and Red-eyed Poker, 

 from the prevailing colour of the head, and the pecuhar 

 colour of the eye not observed in any other British Duck), 

 is, in the main, a winter visitor to this country, appearing 

 about the beginning of October, and leaving us again in the 

 spring. A tolerable number, however, remain to breed in 

 suitable localities ; and, owing to efficient protection, they 

 appear to be on the increase. Messrs. Sheppard and 

 Whitear, in their ' Catalogue of Norfolk Birds,' published in 



* Anas for inn, Linnyjus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 203 (1766). 



