358 NATATORES. FULIGULA. TUFTED POCHARD. 



Periodical THIS short compact bird is a regular winter visitant, and 

 although not numerously, is very generally distributed 

 throughout the British Islands, frequenting not only the 

 lakes and rivers far inland, but also the sea-coasts ; and in 

 the latter case, more particularly inlets formed at the mouths 

 of rivulets, where the sands are not only flat, but indented 

 with pools left by the receding tide. It is generally seen in 

 pairs, and rarely more than three or four couple associate to- 

 gether. It is so prompt in diving, as to be difficult to shoot 

 on the water ; and the same propensity facilitates its escape 

 from the decoy, as, instead of rising and flying forwards 

 when within the tunnel, it immediately, by diving, returns 

 to the open pool. Its flesh is tender and well flavoured, and 

 in some paits is sold in the market under the name of the 

 Black Wigeon. Its form is typical ; the bill displaying the 

 breadth and shape of that of the Scaup, which bird it also 

 resembles in peculiarity of figure. It is a native of the arc- 

 tic regions of Europe and Asia, but does not appear to in- 

 habit North America, the species described as such by WIL- 

 SON (and quoted from him by TEMMINCK, STEPHENS, and 

 others), being perfectly distinct and intermediate in size be- 

 tween this bird and the Scaup. The error was first disco- 

 vered by Monsieur CHARLES BUONAPARTE, Prince of Mu- 

 signano, who has given to the American species the name of 

 Fullgula rufitorques. The Tufted Pochard breeds in high 

 latitudes, though TEMMINCK assures us that a few occasion- 

 ally remain through that season in more temperate climates ; 

 but I have never been able to discover that it breeds in this 

 country. On continental Europe it is widely and abun- 

 dantly spread during its winter migration, being found 

 throughout Holland, France, Germany, Italy, and other 

 southern states. The labyrinthian portion of the trachea 

 partakes of those both of the Scaup and Red-headed Po- 

 chards ; the tympanum being very similar in shape and detail 

 to that of the latter, whilst the orca (though smaller) very 

 closely resembles in form that of the Scaup. The tracheal 



