THE POCHARD. 127 



On the English coast, the velvet scoter is considered more 

 rare than the A. nigra, which is likewise the case in Ireland, but 

 on the coast of Scotland the latter is the more uncommon of the 

 two species."^ 



The Eed-crested Pochard {Fuligula nifina, Pall, (sp.), Anas 

 rufina, Pall.) was introduced to the British catalogue from a 

 specimen obtained in England, in January 1826, since which 

 period a few others have been met with in that country, though 

 none have been procured in Scotland or Ireland. The east of Eu- 

 rope, a part of Asia, and of northern Africa, are the chief abodes 

 of this species. It has occurred in most of the countries of the 

 more southern half of Europe. 



THE POCHARD.t 



Red-headed Pochard; Dun-bird. 



Fuligula ferina, Linn, (sp.) 

 Anas „ „ 



Is a regular winter visitant, but varies much in numbers 

 in different years. 



Belfast Ba7/.-^J.n some seasons scarcely any are to be seen 

 here, and the more severe the winter they are generally the more 

 numerous. During portions of two or three successive winters, 

 about the years 1837, 1838, and 1839, they were very abundant. 

 AVhere the river called Conswater joins the bay at "Adam^s point, '^ 



* Jardine. Mr. St. John, in enumerating the birds of Sutherlandsliirc, does not 

 name the common scoter as at all found there, but notices the velvet scoter, as " in 

 abundance during the winter on the east coast." — ' Tour in Sutherland,' vol. i. p. 140. 



t Sometimes called noldhcad, fresh-water wigeon, and bull-headed wigeon, in the 

 north of Ireland. The name of wigeon-diver is a])))licd to it in Cork Harbour, and 

 Whinvard at Wexford. 



