NETTA 



249 



Genus NETTA. 



The genus Netta contains but one species, distinguished by its 

 bill, which tapers very gradually throughout its length and has 

 the lamellse very stout and prominent. 



The male bird also has a full bushy crest, which, however, is not 

 present, or is considerably modified, in the female. 



The name Pochard should be pronounced " Pokard," not with 

 the soft cli with which I have heard many sportsmen sound it. 

 In many parts of England these ducks are known as Pokers or 

 Poke Ducks, and it is from this that the name is derived. 



(38) NETTA RUFINA. 

 THE RED-CRESTED POCHARD. 



Anas rufina, Pal. Beis. d. versch. Buss. Beichs. ii, p. 713 (1773) 



(Caspian Sea). 

 Branta rufina, Jcrdoii, B. of I. iii, p. 811 : Butler, S. F. iv, p. 30: ibid. 



V, p. 234 ; Fairbank, ibid, iv, p. 264. 

 Fuligula rufina, Hume, S. F. i, p. 264; Adam, ibid. p. 402; Hume, ibid. 



vii, pp. 98, 493 ; Hume (f Marsh. Game-B. iii. p. 253 ; Lec/ge, B. of C. 



p. 1087 ; Butler, S. F. ix, p. 438 ; B.eid, ibid, x, p. 84 ; Taylor, ibid. 



pp. 528, 531; Barnes, B. of Bom. p. 412; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 346; 



Ball, ibid. p. 232 ; Cripps, ibid. p. 402 ; Hume, Cat. No. 967. 



Netta rufina, Salradori, Cat. B. M. xxvii, p. 328; Blanford, Avifauna 

 B. I. iv, p. 456 ; Gates, Game-B. ii, p. 299 ; Stuart Baker, J. B. N. H. S. 

 xii, p. 249 (1899) ; id. Indian Ducks, p. 208 (1908) ; Hopwood, 

 J. B. N. H. S. xviii, p. 433 (1909). 



Description. Adult Male.— Whole head reddish-bay, richest and darkest 

 on the under surface and sides, paling from the foreliead to the end of the 

 crest, where it is reddish-buff. Neck blackish-brown ; upper back dark- 

 brown, getting more and more pale towards the rump, the bases of the 

 feathers next the scapulars showing in a white band ; rump and upper tail- 



