202 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
in autumn and leaving in spring, flying in flocks of from ten to 
a thousand. Sir Ralph Gallwey states that he has even seen as 
many as five thousand collected together after a gale. They 
are common on the inland lakes of Ireland, but seldom nest 
there. Pochards are distributed over Europe, part of Africa, 
and North America, where Audubon states he has shot them, 
and found their stomachs crammed with tadpoles, small lizards, 
snails, and on occasion with acorns and beech nuts. They are 
caught in decoys both in England and in Ireland, and formerly 
thousands were sent to the London markets, where they may be 
purchased in March at £1 to #1 10s. the couple. On Lord 
Walsingham’s estate in Norfolk the Pochard breeds during May 
and June, in company with the Gadwall and other ducks; 
returning yearly to the same locality for nesting, and choosing 
the sedges and rushes near water. 
Male.—Head and upper neck beautiful chestnut red ; 
lower breast velvet black ; back and sides delicate pale grey, 
finely barred with black; under parts white; wings and tail 
grey of different shades ; bill grey, with black tip and base; eye 
reddish-orange. 
Female.—Head and neck brownish-grey; body and 
wings grey; eye reddish-brown ; bill black ; upper breast dark 
reddish-brown ; legs and feet grey blue, with broad black webs. 
Young.—At first resembles female, obtaining some 
change with the first autumn moult; the change in colour of 
feathers going on by slow degrees afterwards. Dr. Henny 
mentions that the black on the breast of the young males does 
not make its appearance until the second year. 
Egg.—Greyish-green ; both ends rounded; eight to 
twelve in number. April—May. Incubation, twenty-eight or 
thirty days. 
Nest Down.—Small ; delicate uniform pale brownish- 
grey. 
