THE POCHARD, 129 



soon as my informant was able to renew the chase, this was 

 recommenced, and continued in the same manner for some time 

 longer, the bird always running when he ran, and stopping when 

 he stopped. At last the object of pursuit was captured, and no 

 mercy shown, though it deserved a better fate. The four slain were 

 now sought for, but the chase had lasted so long as to enable 

 two of them to recover themselves sufficiently to make their 

 escape : they were not even seen again. Pochards and scaups, 

 when wounded on the water, steal to the banks if they can quietly 

 reach them, and are so much incHned to remain there, that from 

 this habit alone disabled birds are known from others. 



When either species was wounded by one of our shooters, in 

 calm weather, and the water was clear, instead of following them 

 with his gun, he and his companion pursued them, armed with 

 the setting-pole of the boat, which had an iron A^-formed fork at 

 the end. The birds were struck with this weapon while urging 

 their way through the water from near the surface, to the depth 

 of eight feet, which was as far as the pole would strike them 

 effectively. In this manner they moved at least as quickly as 

 they could have done by swimming on the surface. The sport 

 was very exciting, from the quick rowing of the boat that was 

 requisite, in consequence of the progress made by the birds, 

 and the frequent change of tack necessary on account of their 

 sudden turnings. They were merely struck by the pole, not 

 brought up on its fork. One person rowed, wliile the other 

 managed the pole. Many birds have been thus secured. 



The same observant shooter has often seen pochards and scaups 

 that dived when wounded, keep close along the bottom, busily 

 using their wings and feet all the time that he was in close 

 pursuit. But, when merely feeding, both species dive down in 

 water from three to nine feet in depth, and scoop along the 

 surface of the mud at the bottom, for shell-fish. That they do 

 so, is evident when the tide is out, by narrow zigzag lines, the 

 breadth of their bills, being then observable. These lines are 

 from one to five yards in length, and of a sinuous form, such as 

 would be produced by the motion of the wings and body during 



A^OL. III. K 



