The Pochards. 311 



habits of this species is excellent. He 

 says : — " "What the Pochard really likes 

 is a large broad or mere, surrounded by 

 rushes, reeds, and aquatic plants, some 

 feet in depth, and with a considerable 

 breadth of open water in the centre. 

 Elsewhere you may meet a few, as on 

 the banks of rivers, or in any kind of 

 lake, even the Sambhar; but in such 

 localities as I have indicated you will 

 see flocks of several thousands, and many 

 acres of water completely paved over with 

 them. Habitually this species goes about 

 in large flocks, but in places unsuited to 

 its tastes you will meet with single birds 

 or small parties. 



" The Pochards are eminently swimming 

 and diving ducks ; ' their path is o'er the 

 glittering wave, their home is on the 

 deep.' They walk badly; indeed it is 

 very seldom one sees them on land ; but 

 I have once or twice surprised them 

 feeding in wild rice in the early mornings, 

 and have been struck by the awkwardness 

 of their gait. Their flight is slow and 

 heavy until they get well on the wing, 

 after which it is fairly rapid ; but they 

 rise with some little difficulty in perfectly 

 calm weather, and always, if there be a 

 wind, against it if possible. 



