DIVING DUCKS. 219 



Kingdom, becomes common only when the winter 

 migrants come in. Then it may be found on our 

 coasts, but much more commonly on inland waters, 

 where it flocks in parties more or less numerous. It 

 is a swimmer and a diver of the first order, forging 

 along at a remarkable pace with neck drawn in and 

 body sunk low in the water. Though principally a 

 night-feeder, it may be seen during the day diving 

 assiduously in suitable places, bringing up from the 

 bottom of the lake or pool portions of aquatic plants 

 to be overhauled at the surface. At home in the 

 water, Pochards are ungainly walkers, their legs 

 beincr set far back, as in most divers. Their wings, 

 too, as is the case with such birds, are set well back, 

 so that they rise with difficult}'- ; but when once 

 under way they proceed with great force and speed. 

 Besides vegetable food, they eat water insects, worms, 

 grubs, shellfish, and other small life occurring in and 

 about water. The distinguishing characters are the 

 rich chestnut head and neck, with the gray back, 

 the gray speculum, and the blue-banded bill. No 

 other common British Duck has the Pochard's rich 

 chestnut head and neck, based on a bold black ring 

 such as runs round the breast and upper back of 

 this bird. 



GOLDEN-EYE.— Plate 96. 18 inches. Head and 

 upper neck dark green ; chin and throat black ; large, 

 white circular patch at the base of the bill ; upper 

 parts black, streaked black and white along the sides 

 of the back ; wings black, with large white patch ; 

 under parts white, the feathers being black-edged 



2c 



