De5o 



8 



swallow its food when under water. It swims with ease, sitting low in the water, the neck 

 being drawn in, and the feathers on the head frequently puffed out, making it look as if the 

 head were very large. On the wing it is not very swift ; but it flies with tolerable ease, propelling 

 itself by quick flaps of the wings, making a very perceptible rushing noise. In general habits it 

 is not shy, but is at the same time well able to take care of itself, and when disturbed will 

 usually seek safety by swimming quickly away in preference to taking wing. On the shore it is 

 able to walk tolerably well, although its legs are placed so far back ; it usually holds its body 

 very erect, but avoids going any distance on foot. 



It is, as a rule, rather a silent bird than otherwise ; and its call-note, which is uttered by the 

 male when swimming or on the wing, is a rather low rerrr-rerrr-a, the call of the female being 

 somewhat similar but harsher. 



The food of this Duck consists almost exclusively of vegetable substances, which it obtains 

 from the bottom by diving; but it is said occasionally to devour aquatic insects, and, when 

 impelled by hunger, small fishes. Naumann says that it is extremely partial to the roots of 

 Polygonum amphibium and the lentil-like seeds of Potamogeton marinus and Potamogeton 

 pectinatus. 



The Pochard makes its nest near water, it being merely a hollow in the ground lined with 

 dried vegetable matter and the down of the bird itself; and the eggs (usually, it would appear, 

 seven or eight in number) are uniform greenish grey, some with a tinge of buff, those in my 

 collection varying in size from 2^f by Iff to 2^§ by Iff inch in size. 



The specimens figured are the adult male and female in winter plumage above described. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, <3 . Leadenhall Market, December 26th, 1870. b, ?. Near London, February 17th {Davy), c, d, J. 

 Seeland, Denmark, February 5th, 1870 (Benzon) . e, 6 ad. China. 



E Mus. C. A. Wright, 

 a, 2 ■ Malta, winter (C. A. W.). 



