REDHEAD. 



POCHARD. 

 AYTHVA AMERICANA. 



Char. Mantle and sides silvery white, varied with fine waved lines of 

 dusky ; belly white ; head and neck rich chestnut ; iower neck, breast, 

 and rump black ; wings and tail slate gray; bill dull bluish black, tipped 

 with gray ; legs and feet leaden gray. In the female the head, neck, 

 and breast are grayish brown, and tlie markings on the back less distinct 

 and of a browner tint. Length 17 to 21 inches. 



Nest. Amid the rank herbage in marshy margin of stream or lake, — 

 sometimes resting upon the water ; made of grass and sedges and lined 

 with feathers. 



Eggs. 7-14 (usually about to) ; pale buff or creamy, tinged more or 

 less with olive ; 2.40 X I.75- 



The Pochard, so nearly related to the Canvas-back, with 

 which it generally associates, is common to the north of both 

 continents. It is abundant in Russia in rivers and lakes in 

 all latitudes, as well as in Denmark, the north of Germany, 

 and as a bird of passage is seen in England, Holland, France, 

 Italy, and in the course of the winter proceeds as far south as 

 Egypt. In the present continent these birds are found to 



