243 



TUFTED DUCK. 



TUFTED POCHARD. 



Fuligula cristata, ..... Stephens. 



Anas fuligula, ...... lusmxcs. 



Canard morillon, ..... Temminck. 



Fuligula. Fuligo — Soot; from the colour of some of the species. Cristata — Having a crest. 



This beautiful little Duck is very readily distinguished from any of our other 

 AnatidoB by its colour and elegant crest. It is a winter visitant to Britain, and is 

 one of the latest arriving on our shores. In Belfast Bay, December is considered 

 early; and we have noted January 29th., 1848, as the first time of its appearance 

 in the York market in that year. The end of April, or early in May, is usually 

 the latest time for its departure. It is distributed pretty generally round the coasts 

 of England, Scotland, and Ireland. 



On the continent they are winter visitors to the southern and central states ; breeding 

 in small cpiantities in Holland and Sweden; but the general breeding resort is not 

 known. 



Of its edible qualities we have various accounts ; some pronouncing them very excellent, 

 others considering them as but indifferent eating. From our own personal experience, 

 we pronounce them excellent. A note on the subject written several years since, states 

 that it was "tender and delicate in flavour." It is probable that much depends on the 

 previous feeding of the birds ; those chiefly fed upon shell-fish would be but poor eating, 

 while those feeding for some time inland, would probably be as we found the bird above 

 referred to, which was shot about six miles from the city of York. 



Its habits lead it to ascend rivers, and frequent inland lakes, more than some of 

 its congeners. They are less shy than the Scaup, and do not readily take to flight 

 when quietly approached; rather swimming away to escape clanger. They are usually 

 in very small parties of from four to eight or ten birds ; but occasionally assemble in flocks 

 of more than one hundred. Mr. Thompson thus relates an interesting anecdote illustrative 

 of the sagacity of this species in knowing its friends from its enemies: — "In my young 



