568 BRITISH BIRDS. 



those where the bottom is covered with water-weeds and the hanks are 

 clothed with tall rushes and other aquatic vegetation. It also haunts 

 more sparingly broad rivers where they widen out and flow slowly, and 

 submerged weeds grow near the margin. On migration it often rests at 

 very small pools and insignificant streamlets, probably to pick up food and 

 to rest. Although Dresser states that the Red-crested Pochard does not 

 dive, but obtains its food like the Mallard, it is a remarkably expert diver, 

 and feeds principally in deep water. Where it is much molested, it soon 

 becomes very shy. Like most diving Ducks, it does not come much on 

 the land, and when it does visit the shore to graze on the short grass or 

 pick up small shells and insects it rarely wanders far from the water, in 

 which it is so thoroughly at home. It is, however, said to walk better 

 than the other Pochards. Its flight is strong but heavy, and it rises in a 

 slow laboured manner. When in the air its wings make a very distinct 

 rushing sound, so peculiar in tone that even a solitary bird can be recog- 

 nized by this alone by experienced sportsmen as it flies over in the dark. 

 The call-note of the Red-crested Pochard resembles that of the Pochard, 

 and is described by Hume as a deep grating kurr ; he also states that 

 the males occasionally utter a sharp sibilant note, reminding one of the 

 whistle of the Wigeon, although quite different. Naumann says that the 

 note is not unlike the croak of a Crow. 



In suitable districts the Red-crested Pochard feeds during the day ; but 

 it also obtains much of its food at night, the birds that frequent water 

 where food is not abundant moving off at dusk to localities more suitable. 

 It moves about little in the daytime, making its journeys from place to 

 place iu. the night or at dusk. Its food is principally vegetable, but it 

 feeds more on animal substances than the Pochard. It eats the leaves, 

 stems, roots, and seeds of grasses and aquatic vegetation, also small frogs, 

 and occasionally fish, shells, land and freshwater insects, grubs, and worms. 

 Hume states that in India it feeds from about eight to ten A.M., and sleeps 

 from ten A.M. to three P.M., floating well out in the middle of the stream or 

 lake. Sometimes they may be seen playing with each other or washing 

 and diving during the heat of the day. 



The breeding-season of the Red-crested Pochard varies somewhat accord- 

 ing to locality. In Algeria Tristram and Salvin found eggs in June, but 

 in Central Germany Dr. Baldamus found complete sittings of its eggs by 

 the middle of May. It makes its nest close to the water. Tristram 

 describes it as like that of the Coot, but not so large and better concealed. 

 Dr. Baldamus, who found this species breeding several seasons in succes- 

 sion in a pond near the Mansfelder salt- lake in Germany, states that it 

 arrived for nesting-duties late in March or early in April, but it did not 

 begin to build until the end of the latter month. The pond was overgrown 

 with reeds, flags, and other aquatic plants. Between the years 1866-70 he 



