•1^' 



;^ 



■J- 



224 British Birds, 



decayed rushes and reeds, with a lining of the birds' 

 own down. The esrirs were smaller than those of the 

 Wild Duck, and of a rich cream-white colour." The 

 number of eggs laid varies between five and eight or 

 nine; the length, 2i inches by IJ in breadth. 



AMERICAN WIGEOX— (il/^r^^^ Americana; 

 formerly, A nas A mericana). 



Of entirely rare and accidental occurrence. 



/ RED-CRESTED VOCKKBD—(Fulzguia rufina). 



Red-crested Whistling Duck. — A rare winter visitor. 



VOQ'^kVJy—^Fuligula ferma), 



^ Dunbird, Red-headed Wigeon, Red-headed Poker, 



Duncur. — A winter visitor, and in very considerable 

 numbers in districts where the presence of inland 

 waters to a sufficient extent enables them to follow 

 out their natural habits. It is almost impossible, from 

 their great quickness and skill in diving, to take them 

 with the other " Fowl " in the Decoy, and they are 

 therefore captured by a peculiar arrangement of nets 

 affixed to poles so heavily weighted at one end as on 

 being liberated to elevate the net in such a way as to 

 intercept the flight of the birds, as soon as they are 

 fairly on wing. The Dunbird does not now breed in 

 this country. 



FERRUGINOUS W^Q^—iFtiligula iiyroca). 

 Somewhat resembling the Pochard in general hue, 

 but smaller, and in respect of the numbers in which it 



