WESTERN POCHARD. NATATORES. FULIGULA. 361 



sent to the public the figure of so great a rarity. As I have 

 never seen the bird myself, I can only judge of the station it 

 holds among the Anatidce, from the characters displayed in 

 the drawing, being at the same time convinced of its faith- 

 fulness to the original ; and I have little hesitation in pla- 

 cing this bird in the subfamily Fuligulina, and (for the pre- 

 sent) in the genus Fuligula, to which it has also been pre- 

 viously assigned by Mr STEPHENS. From the disposition of 

 the colours of its plumage, and the curved shape of the ter- 

 tials, I should suppose it, however, to be an aberrant form in 

 this genus, connecting it probably with the genus Somateria, 

 or with that immediately ensuing (Hareldd). But as a nar- 

 row inspection of the bird itself, and a correct knowledge of 

 its general economy, are necessary to establish its true affini- 

 ties, I only venture the above as a conjecture founded upon 

 the drawing sent to me. This bird is a native of Northern 

 Asia, inhabiting Siberia and the shores of Kamtschatka, and 

 is also said to be found upon the north-western coasts of 

 America. It breeds (according to the authors who have de- 

 scribed it) among rocks and precipices, which, if correct, im- 

 plies a departure from the habits of the more typical Po- 

 chards, and it is further mentioned as associating in large 

 flocks. 



The following is the description of its plumage, as taken 

 from the original drawing, and compared with the accounts 

 of other authors : 



Bill and legs black. Irides pale brown. Upon the fore- General 

 head is a band of pistachio-green, and upon the nape of 

 the neck is another of the same colour, passing back- 

 wards into black, and forming a short occipital crest 

 Crown of the head, cheeks, and upper part of the neck 

 white. Chin, throat, and an irregular spot behind the 

 eyes, black. Middle part of the neck surrounded by 

 a collar of black, which is continued down the back to 

 the tail. Lower portion of the neck, part of the sca- 

 pulars, and the lesser wing-coverts white. Breast, belly, 



