The Pochards. 325 



the ground, always, however, carefully 

 concealed. If any one approaches the 

 nest, the female slips off noiselessly into 

 the water and avoids observation by 

 diving. 



The late Lord Lilford obtained a nest 

 with nine eggs in Spain ; the nest was at 

 a short distance from the water, amongst 

 high rushes, and was composed of dead 

 dry water-plants, flags, etc., and lined with 

 thick brownish white down and a few 

 white feathers. 



The number of eggs laid is frequently 

 as many as ten. They are almost per- 

 fectly elliptical in shape, smooth and with 

 very little gloss. In colour they vary be- 

 tween creamy white and pale buff. They 

 measure from 1*9 to 2*2 in length, and 

 from 1-4 to i '5 5 in breadth. 



The adult male has the head, the 

 greater part of the neck, the sides of the 

 mantle and the whole breast deep chest- 

 nut. There is a well-defined, triangular 

 white spot on the chin. A broad collar 

 round the lower neck, a band down the 

 middle of the mantle, and the upper back 

 are blackish brown, the feathers with a 

 rufous margin. The lower back and the 

 scapulars are black, minutely, but indis- 

 tinctly, speckled with rufous. The rump 



