The Scaup Pochard 

 (Fuligula Gesneri). 



THIS very handsome species will give some idea of 

 the general form of the pochards. 

 In form these birds are compact and heavy, the 

 wings comparatively short, but sharp pointed, and pro- 

 pelling the bird, when once fairly raised, by short but 

 rapid and oft-repeated strokes. The body is broacj and 

 depressed, of a form fitted for buoyancy, but at the same 

 time, from its weight, sinking deep in the water when 

 swimming. 



This bird is a regular winter visitant to the coasts on 

 the North of England and South of Scotland, and from 

 the testimony of most writers it is nearly equally so on both 

 the southern and northern extremes of our island. 



It arrives about the end of October, and continues with 

 us till spring, frequenting the lower lying coasts of a 

 soft or muddy character, and feeding on the smaller 

 bivalves, which are generally found there in abundance. 

 Its usual practice is to stick to the sea in preference to 

 fresh-water streams. It is a shy and wary bird, assembling 

 in flocks and feeding together; at the same time, with a 

 stormy wind, one can openly get within shot, especially 

 when feeding in the muddy creeks of the Solway Firth. 



The male in full plumage is a showy bird ; the bill is a 

 bright bluish-grey, with a black nail; the head and neck 

 blackish-green, with glossy green and purple reflections, 

 the plumage full, and of a silky texture; the lower part of 

 the neck and breast are deep black, belly and flanks white, 

 the vent waved with narrow lines of blackish-grey; the 



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