POCHARD. NATATORES. FULIGULA. 349 



much elevated, and forms an oblique line with the trachea 

 The tympanum, or drum, is about half an inch in diameter 

 and the membrane of the exterior face is divided by a mesiaj 

 bony arch. The flesh of this bird is tender and well-flavoured ; 

 unless killed in the neighbourhood of the sea, when it fre- 

 quently acquires a rank and fishy taste. 



PLATE 63. Fig. 1. represents the Male Pochard, of the na- 

 tural size. 



Bill bluish-grey, with the tip and base black. Tarsi and General 

 toes bluish-grey, with the membranes darker. Irides ^^ n ^ m 

 yellow. Head and neck deep orange-brown. Mantle, Male. 

 breast, and rump, black. Lower part of the back, sca- 

 pulars, wing-coverts, thighs and flanks, greyish-white, 

 with numerous zigzag Lines of black. Belly and abdo- 

 men skim-milk-white, with pale ash-coloured waving 

 lines. Quills and tail ash-grey. 



The following is the description of a variety, kiUed upon Variet 

 the Northumberland coast, and now in my collec. 

 tion : 



Head and neck bright reddish-orange, passing into reddish" 

 white upon the crown. Breast very pale broccoli-brown, 

 with a silky lustre. All the rest of the body greyish- 

 white, with numerous very fine zigzag lines of a darker 

 shade. Quills and tail plain greyish- white. Legs and 

 toes ash-grey, with the membranes darker. 



