470 THE POCHARDS. 



lying between Northern Asia and North America, is some- 

 what scarce in Scandinavia, and excepting in that portion 

 of northern Lapland washed by the Icy Sea, where, M. Malm 

 says, "it is very common, winter as well as summer (?)" 

 confined altogether to the eastern coasts of Sweden and the 

 adjacent islands. It is said to be more frequently met with 

 in the Finnish Skargard (including the Aland Islands) than 

 elsewhere. According to Ekstrom, it is not seen every year ; 

 and when it does appear, it is early in the spring, and in com- 

 pany with scattered individuals of the long-tailed hareld. 

 To the last circumstance, coupled with the belief that the 

 hareld will be abundant that particular season, the western 

 pochard owes its Swedish designation. It is not believed to 

 breed anywhere in the peninsula. In Denmark it is very 

 rare; only two specimens, as it would seem, having been 

 killed in that country. Migrates. 



The only facts as yet known with certainty to Swedish natura- 

 lists respecting this bird are : " It lives on mollusks and crusta- 

 ceans ; it dives with the greatest facility, and is shy and active 

 in its motions." Its nesting habits appear to be unknown. 



The Scaup Pochard (Hvit-Buk, or White-Belly, Sw. ; 

 F. marila, Steph.) was abundant with us spring and fall, as 

 well in the vicinity of Ronnum as on the coast. It breeds 

 in the far north, and is very common, according to M. von 

 Wright and M. Malm, in Lapland, as high up at least as 

 the 69 of latitude. It is said to migrate, but very many 

 usually passed the winter in the rapids of the Gotha, where 

 great slaughter was made amongst them. In Denmark it is 

 common during migration, as also in the winter time. 



The nest of this bird is usually placed amongst high grass, 

 or under some broad-leaved plant. The eggs are eight to 



