358 NATATORES. FULIGULA. Turren Pocwarp. 
Periodical Tuts short compact bird is a regular winter visitant, and 
Basu although not numerously, is very generally distributed 
throughout the British Islands, frequenting not only the 
lakes and rivers far inland, but also the sea-coasts; and in 
the latter case, more particularly inlets formed at the mouths 
of rivulets, where the sands are not only flat, but indented 
with pools left by the receding tide. It is generally seen in 
pairs, and rarely more than three or four couple associate to- 
gether. It is so prompt in diving, as to be difficult to shoot 
on the water ; and the same propensity facilitates its escape 
from the decoy, as, instead of rising and flying forwards 
when within the tunnel, it immediately, by diving, returns 
to the open pool. Its flesh is tender and well flavoured, and 
in some parts is sold in the market under the name of the 
Black Wigeon. Its form is typical ; the bill displaying the 
breadth and shape of that of the Scaup, which bird it also 
resembles in peculiarity of figure. It is a native of the arc- 
tic regions of Europe and Asia, but does not appear to in- 
habit North America, the species described as such by Wit- 
son (and quoted from him by 'TEmMMinck, STEPHENS, and 
others), being perfectly distinct and intermediate in size be- 
tween this bird and the Scaup. The error was first disco- 
vered by Monsieur CuarLes BuonaparteE, Prince of Mu- 
signano, who has given to the American species the name of 
Fuligula rufitorques. The Tufted Pochard breeds in high 
latitudes, though TrmMMiIncx assures us that a few occasion- 
ally remain through that season in more temperate climates ; 
but I have never been able to discover that it breeds in this 
country. On continental Europe it is widely and abun- 
dantly spread during its winter migration, being found 
throughout Holland, France, Germany, Italy, and other 
southern states. The labyrinthian portion of the trachea 
partakes of those both of the Scaup and Red-headed Po- 
chards ; the tympanum being very similar in shape and detail 
to that of the latter, whilst the orca (though smaller) very 
closely resembles in form that of the Scaup. The tracheal 
