OP THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 399 



Habits. — During its sojourn in our Islands the Tufted Duck is for the most 

 part a coast bird, those that frequent inland waters being the resident individuals 

 that breed with us or birds that have been enticed by them . The Tufted Duck 

 makes its appearance in the British Islands towards the end of October or early 

 in November, and remains until the following March or April. They arrive at 

 their Arctic haunts with the thaw and leave in September or October. Their 

 arrival in and departure from India is about at the same time as in England. 

 The principal haunts of this Duck with us are the low-lying coasts, especially in 

 the neighbourhood of mud-banks and estuaries. In India it prefers large sheets 

 of water with plenty of weed at the bottom and plenty of reeds and rushes round 

 the margin. Odd pairs and small parties also frequent the smaller ponds where 

 food and cover are suitable ; but the large flocks of this bird that congregate in 

 that country in the cold season, sometimes ten thousand strong, are invariably 

 found on the extensive sheets of water. The Tufted Duck migrates at night, 

 generally in large flocks, and on passage will often pay a fleeting visit to some 

 lake or pool en route. It is also nocturnal in its habits, seeking most of its food 

 at night, in this country, but, curiously enough, Hume remarks that they are 

 day feeders in India. The flight of this Pochard is rapid and well sustained, 

 smooth and easy, but the rapidly-beaten wings make a characteristic rustling 

 sound. In rising the bird strikes the water with its feet something like a Coot, 

 so that when a large flock takes wing together the splashing can be heard for a 

 long distance. It swims well and rapidly, sitting rather low in the water, and, 

 of course, dives with marvellous speed and skill, sometimes remaining below for 

 a minute or more. During the day the Tufted Duck usually keeps well out from 

 shore, often sleeping and preening its plumage whilst in the centre of the lake. 

 It rarely visits land, and always tries to evade pursuit by diving if possible ; and 

 Hume states that after a gun has been fired he has seen a large flock of several 

 hundred birds dive simultaneously as if moved by a common impulse ! The 

 Tufted Duck is not a very noisy bird, especially during winter, but occasionally 

 utters a harsh kurr-hurr as it rises alarmed from the water. The food of this 

 species consists of aquatic insects, worms, grubs, lizards, frogs, spawn, and small 

 fish ; whilst the roots, stems, leaves, and buds of water plants are also eaten. 

 After having fed inland chiefly on vegetable diet the flesh of this Duck is by no 

 means unpalatable, but birds shot on the coast are rank and fishy in flavour. 



Nidification. — The breeding season of the Tufted Duck commences about 

 the middle of May in some localities, the end of May or early in June in others. 

 Its favourite breeding grounds are on the banks of meres and lakes, and in 

 marshy districts full of small ponds. This Duck may probably pair for life, as in 

 districts where the fact can be observed the duck and drake swim and fly in 

 company for the greater part of the year. The nest is either built amongst the 

 rushes, in the centre of tufts of sedge, in long, coarse grass, or under a stunted 



