The Pochards. 297 



diminishing in width from the base to 

 the tip ; and the sexes differ very much 

 in colour. The members of the second 

 section, Nyroca^ have no crest ; the bill 

 is of a dark colour, without any red, and 

 is of about equal width throughout its 

 length, or rather broader near the tip 

 than at the base ; and the sexes, though 

 differing in colour in some degree, retain 

 the same pattern of plumage. 



The Pochards have a shorter wing than 

 the ordinary Ducks, and when flying they 

 make a distinct rushing sound, easily re- 

 cognised. They possess the power of 

 partially submerging the body when an 

 enemy is in view. 



I reproduce the following useful re- 

 marks by Mr. Abel Chapman on the 

 general habits of the Diving-Ducks : — 

 " From the nature of their avocations, the 

 Diving-Ducks are almost entirely day- 

 feeding fowl, as they require light for 

 their subaqueous investigations. Those 

 which prey on animal food — living Crus- 

 tacea and other creatures which require 

 catching — are exclusively diurnal in their 

 habits ; but one or two species, such as 

 the Pochard, whose food consists of grass 

 and vegetable substances, exhibit noc- 

 turnal proclivities. In the main, however. 



