POCHARD. Nyroca ferina. 



abdomen are white finely pencilled with grey, and the under tail-coverts are black. The 

 bill is black at the point and base, and pale blue in the middle. The female is without 

 the deep black of the lower neck. The total length of this bird is about twenty inches. 



Several curious species of Duck are closely allied to the Pochard, among which may 

 be noticed the TUFTED DUCK (Fuligula cristata), the SCAUP DUCK (Fuligula marila), both 

 British birds, and the celebrated CANVAS-BACK DUCK of America (Fuligula Vallisneria}. 

 The GOLDEN-EYE DUCK (Clangula glauciori), the curiously mottled HARLEQUIN DUCK 

 ( Clangula histrionica], and the light and active SPIRIT DUCK, or BUFFEL-HEADED DUCK 

 (Clangula albeola], are also allied, as is the LONG-TAILED DUCK (Harelda glacialis), all of 

 which are found in England. 



IN the southern parts of England the EIDER DUCK is only a winter visitant, but 

 remains throughout the year in the more northern portions of our island, and in the north 

 of Scotland. 



This bird is widely celebrated on account of the exquisitely soft and bright down 

 which the parent plucks from its breast and lays over the eggs during the process of 

 incubation. Taking these nests is with some a regular business, not devoid of risk on 

 account of the precipitous localities in which the Eider Duck often breeds. The nest is 

 made of fine seaweeds, and after the mother-bird has laid her complement of eggs she 

 covers them with the soft down, adding to the heap daily until she completely hides them 

 from view. 



The plan usually adopted is to remove both eggs and down, when the female lays 

 another set of eggs and covers them with fresh down. These are again taken, and then 

 the male is obliged to give his help by taking down from his own breast, and supplying 

 the place of that which was stolen. The down of the male bird is pale coloured, and 

 as soon as it is seen in the nest, the eggs and down are left untouched in order to keep up 

 the breed. Mr. Yarrell mentions that on one of the northern coasts of England, the 

 Eiders had been nearly exterminated by foolish persons, who robbed the nests, and sold 

 the eggs for consumption. A gentleman, however, who was employed in building a light- 

 house on the rocks prohibited any such robberies while he was in authority, and in 

 consequence of his judicious management the Eiders became plentiful again. 



The Eider is a shy retiring bird, placing its nest on islands and rocks projecting well 

 into the sea. It is an admirable diver, its legs being set very far back, and obtains much 

 of its food by gathering it under water. The same structure, however, which gives the 



