58 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



over with very small grey specks and lines over a ground 

 of white ; primaries and secondaries nearly uniform grey, 

 tlie primaries ending in dark brown ; the secondaries tipped 

 narrowly with white ; the rump and upper tail-coverts are 

 nearly black ; and the tail feathers uniform greyish-brown ; 

 the breast, sides, and belly are a greyish-white, produced by 

 small grey markings on a white ground ; under tail- 

 coverts black; legs and toes bluish-grey; membranes 

 bluish-black. 



In the female the bill is black; the irides reddish- 

 brown ; head and all the back of the neck dusky greyish- 

 brown ; the back and wings are darker than in the male ; 

 the lower parts are a dull greyish-white ; and the under 

 tail-coverts dark grey. The young males at first resemble 

 the females, but the back feathers and scapulars are brown 

 with pale edges ; the complete adult plumage is assumed 

 slowly. 



This variety is not so slender and graceful in appear- 

 ance as the Wild Duck, the body being more compact and 

 short ; it swims low in the water, and from the backward 

 position of the legs walks slowly and with an awkward gait. 



The Pochard is found in most of the large inland lakes 

 and rivers, as well as on the sea-shore ; in some seasons it 

 is very abundant, and large numbers are exposed in the 

 markets and shops for sale. They are by some considered 

 excellent eating; we do not think much of them. 



This bird is for the most part a night feeder, and its 

 general character is shy, suspicious, and cautious. It is 

 not so easily taken in decoy nets as the Wild Duck, as it 

 dives with great ease, and frequently escapes from the 

 pipes by passing out under the water. The usual cry is a 

 low whistle^ but when alarm/sd or annoyed they utter a 



