'V 



POCHARD. 



FULIGULA FERINA. 



Family ANATID^. Genus FULIGULA. 



Dunbird Red-headed Pochard Duncur. 



This bird must be regarded as a rare breeder in our 

 country, and must be considered a winter visitor. It 

 has been found nesting, however, in various parts of 

 the British Isles ; amongst others in the New Forest. 



The Pochard dives with great skill and quickness, 

 and obtains its f :od by this means. Diving in shallow 

 parts and pulling up water-weeds from the bottom, it 

 pulls them to pieces when it reaches the surface again 

 and leisurely devours them. It also eats insects and 

 small shell-fish. It is a bad walker, its walk being a 

 literal waddle ; its flight also is rapid, the wings being 

 moved with very quick and short strokes. It has a 

 decided preference for fresh water to salt. 



The nest of the Pochard is built among the reeds 

 on marshy tracts of water. It is built of dead grass, 

 reeds and sedge, and lined with down. The outside 



