88 WIGEON POCHARD. 



Materials. Dry grass, reeds, leaves, &c., profusely lined 

 with down, differing from the Teal's in being darker and tipped 

 with white. 



Eggs. Seven to ten or more. Creamy white. Like the 

 Teal's, but rather larger. 



WIGEON (Mareca penelope). 



Migrant, being common in winter. Kemaining to breed in 

 small numbers in Scotland and the Orkneys and Shetlands. 

 In England it breeds only in a semi-domesticated state. 



Haunts. Usually near the sea, but also inland waters. 



Plumage, Forehead creamy white. Chin, neck, and throat 

 chestnut. Mantle vermiculated with grey. Shoulder white, 

 ending with a black bar, to which succeeds a green speculum 

 tipped with black. Wings and tail dark brown. Breast white ; 

 under parts grey ; flanks pencilled with dark grey. Bill bluish 

 lead-colour. Legs and feet dark brown. Length 18 in. Female : 

 smaller, and mottled with greyish brown above; speculum 

 greyer green ; under parts mottled with buffish white. Young, 

 like female. 



Language. A shrill whistle of two syllables. The female 

 utters a kind of croak. 



Habits. Very shy and wary, and feeding both by day and 

 by night. Like the Ducks already treated, it is a rapid flier, 

 and feeds on the surface, submerging the head and neck. It 

 can also dive, but does not do so from choice. Very gregarious. 

 It grazes much like a Goose. 



Food. Aquatic plants, grass, &c. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In tuft of rushes, grass, heather, &c. 



Materials. Dry grass and reeds, lined with sooty brown 

 down tipped with white. 



Eggs. Seven to ten or more. Creamy white, and oval in 

 shape. 



BED-CRESTED POCHAED (Fuligula rufina). 



A rare and irregular straggler. Several occurrences are re- 

 corded. It may be seen on many ornamental waters in a semi- 

 domesticated state, and is at once distinct on account of its 

 crimson bill and bright chestnut head and erectile crest. 



POCHARD (Fuligula ferina). 



Partially resident, being most abundant in winter. Breeds 

 more or less commonly in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, 

 Lancashire, and Dorsetshire, and in other counties in England, 

 Scotland, and Ireland, where suitable. 



