91 



POCHAED. 



RED-HEADED POCHARD. COMMON POCHARD. POCHARD DUCK. DUN BIRD. 



PLATE CXCVI. FIG. II. 



Anas ferina, ' PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Fuligula ferina, SELBY. JENYNS. 



Nyroca ferina, FLEMING. 



MEYER says, ( about the end of April the Red-headed Pochards pair; 

 there are no quarrels between the male birds, for the female is said to 

 choose her own mate; and the pair remain inseparable, and do not 

 quit the spot until the young brood are hatched and ready to follow 

 them towards the larger lakes, etc., where they consider them out of 

 danger/ 



The nest of the Pochard is made among rushes or other coarse 

 herbage, and is lined with feathers. Many nests are placed near each 

 other, in suitable localities, such as osier beds or grassy places. 



The eggs are from eight or ten to twelve or thirteen in number, 

 and of a buff white colour. 



The Pochard bred, in the year 1855, in the gardens of the Zoological 

 Society, as Frederick Bond, Esq. has written me word. 



