REDHEAD. 34I 



breed in all parts of the fur countries, from the 50th parallel 

 to their utmost boreal limits, and, dwelling in fresh waters, are 

 seen to associate generally with the x'\natin^, or proper Ducks, 

 taking to the sea in autumn with their broods, and appearing 

 within the limits of the United States towards the close of 

 October ; they afterwards spread themselves over the bays, 

 rivers, and freshwater lakes at no great distance from the sea. 

 In the Bay of Chesapeake and its tributary streams they are 

 now seen in flocks with the Canvas-backs, and feed much on 

 the same kind of submarine grass, or wrack-weed, on which 

 they become very fat, and are in flavor and size but little infe- 

 rior to their companions, — being often, in fact, both sold and 

 eaten for the same, without the aid of any very sensible impo- 

 sition. In the months of February and March they are com- 

 mon in the fresh waters of North and South Carolina, where 

 many pass the greater part of the winter ; they are also seen 

 at this season in the lower part of the Mississippi, around 

 Natchez, and probably accompany the flocks of the preceding 

 species near New Orleans. Brisson's Mexican Pochard, de- 

 scribed by Fernandez, is also in all probability the same 

 bird. 



The Pochards dive and swim with great agility. They are 

 in England sometimes taken in the decoy pools in the usual 

 manner of driving, but are by no means welcome visitors ; for 

 by their continual diving they disturb the rest of the fowls on 

 the water, and thus prevent their being enticed into the tunnel 

 nets ; nor are they willingly decoyed with the other I )ucks. 

 They are said to walk awkwardly and with difficulty. It is 

 also added that their cry more resembles the hollow hiss of a 

 serpent than the voice of a bird. Their flight is more rapid 

 than that of the common Wild Duck, and the noise of their 

 wings very different. The troop forms a close body in the air ; 

 but they do not proceed in angular lines or obey any partic- 

 ular leader, nor have they any call sufficient for the purpose. 

 On their first arrival they are restless and watchful, alighting 

 on the water, and then again wheeling and reconnoitring in 

 the air for some time, uncertain in the choice of their move- 



