170 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
TUFTED DUCK. 
Fubiauna cristata, Leach. 
Pl. XXVL, fig. 3. 
Geogr. distr.—Europe generally, but breeding only in the north; 
migrating into N. Africa to winter; Asia as far eastward as Japan, 
and southwards into 8. India. In Great Britain it is principally a 
winter visitant; but it has been recorded as breeding in Sussex, 
Surrey, Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Perthshire ; 
also in several localities in Ireland. 
Food.—Aquatic insects, Mollusca, fish, tadpoles, frogs, and Alge. 
Nest.—Formed of grass, bents, and a few leaves felted together with 
a mass of down. 
Position of nest.—On the ground not far from fresh water, under a 
bush or tuft of sedge. 
Number of eggs.—8-18. 
Time of nidification.—V-VI. 
Mr. Cecil Smith says of this species :—‘‘ It is easily kept 
in confinement, and is very conspicuous and ornamental. 
It has also been known to breed in confinement in the 
Zoological Gardens, though in a wild state it seems very 
rarely, if ever, to breed in any part of Britain. In a 
neighbouring pond a wild female Tufted Duck remained 
for a long time into the spring in company with two 
pinioned males, but did not remain to breed. 
“Meyer says ‘the nest is usually placed in a hollow 
on grassy ground, or under shelter of a stone, or stump of 
a tree, or of some vegetable production, at a distance of 
from sixty to a hundred yards from the water: it is made 
of stalks and grasses carelessly put together.’ 
“The food of the Tufted Duck, which is mostly obtained 
by diving, consists of shell-fish, small frogs and their 
spawn, aquatic insects, and the roots, buds and seeds of 
aquatic plants. In confinement it will also eat grain, and 
both this bird and the Pochard may be easily got to come 
to the call and dive for grain or bread.”’—(‘ Birds of Somer- 
setshire,’ pp. 508-9.) 
The call-note of this species is said to resemble the 
words ‘‘currugh, currugh” uttered gutturally. 
