92 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



Plumage. — Head and neck chestnut. Breast and 

 upper back black ; upper parts whitish, minutely 

 and wavily lined with black. Speculum grey and in- 

 distinct ; under parts greyish white. Tail-coverts 

 black. Bill black, with blue band across middle. 

 Legs and feet bluish grey. Length 19J in. Female, 

 dull brown on head, neck and breast, and generally 

 browner than male. Young : like female. 



Language. — Call-note, a low whistle. Alarm-note, a 

 harsh croak resembling " dun-curre." 



Habits. — Flight rather heavy, but nevertheless rapid. 

 An excellent diver, and obtaining most of its food in 

 this way. 



Food. — Vegetable matters principally ; also worms, 

 Crustacea, mollusca, &c. 



Nest. — Mid-May. One brood. 



Site. — Well concealed in aquatic herbage, and always 

 near water. 



Materials. — Dry grass and sedges, lined with down, 

 somewhat resembling the Mallard's, and also the Tufted 

 Duck's, but browner. 



Eggs. — Seven to ten or more. Pale greenish buff. 



REDCRESTED POCHARD (Fuligula rufina). 



A rare and irregular straggler, often seen in semi- 

 domesticated state on ornamental waters, and at once 

 distinct on account of its crimson bill, bright chestnut 

 head and erectile crest. 



TUFTED DUCK (Fuligula cristata). 



The majority chiefly winter visitors, but some are 

 resident. Breeds in Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, North- 



