230 ON THE BREEDING-PLACES OF 



there are from twelve to fifteen pairs of Tufted Ducks staying to nest. Only 

 on Sunday last, when walking round the lake here, I saw eight pairs of these 

 birds. 



" Tufted Ducks have bred in this water for the last thirty-five years. A 

 great many breed at Newstead Abbey. They may also be found breeding at 

 Thorsby, Rufford, on the ponds in the forest, Park Hall, and Oxten Bogs — 

 in fact, in most suitable places near here. 



" This Duck begins to sit very late, seldom before the last week in May 

 or the beginning of June. Last year about fifty young ones were bred on 

 the lake here. 



" Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield." " "^ ' WHTTAKER. 



It was intended to photograph or draw the Ducks, with the young ones, 

 in the lake ; but this was not found to be possible. 



Bewick (quoting Latham) says : — "The French allow these birds to be 

 eaten on maigre days, and in Lent." 



ANAS FERINA. The Pochard. 



I have mentioned (anted,, vol. ii. p. 411) that this Duck used to breed 

 at Scoulton, on the authority of Mr. Morris ; but I find, in the first edition 

 of Yarrell, that Messrs. Sheppard and Whitear, in their ' Norfolk Catalogue 

 of Birds,' mention the fact in 1825 ; while the Rev. R. Lubbock (' Fauna of 

 Norfolk, p. 112) says, in 1845; — "I have heard from an accurate observer 

 that he has shot young Pochards at Scoulton, and that flappers of this species 

 were not uncommon there, but that the quagmire where they were found 

 was so rotten, and the reeds so high, that the difficulty of shooting them was 

 very great." In a note, he remarks that "the Pochard has ceased to breed 

 at Scoulton;" I am sorry to add that in 1877, when I visited the place, it 

 had not returned. 



