COMMON POCHARD 151 



In Kashmir the species seems to be quite rare, and has only been recorded on two occasions (Baker, 

 1921) ; but in India proper it is common enough throughout the northern part, growing less frequent 

 toward the middle of the peninsula. Hume and Marshall (1879) describe it as rare in _ ,. 

 Hyderabad, Khandesh, Berar, Guzerat, Cutch, Kathiawar, the southern parts of the 

 Central Provinces and the northern parts of the Madras Presidency. In their day the southernmost 

 record was for Bellary, but since then specimens have been procured in Mysore and Bangalore 

 (Baker, 1921). To the eastward the winter range extends to Manipur and Sadiya; it is fairly common 

 in Cachar and Sylhet and probably in northern Burma, and has been reported from Bhamo, Manda- 

 lay, and Arakan (Baker, 1921). 



From the very meager evidence available I should say that it is not a common bird in China, at 

 least in the south. David and Oustalet (1877) say it is widely distributed, but not that it is common, 

 as Dresser (1871-81) seems to think. The only records I can find are the following: one Crnn a 

 taken near Kiating, Szechwan, November 22 (Thayer and Bangs, 1912), two in the 

 Shasi market, Hupeh, in February (La Touche, 1922), and one at Foochow (La 

 Touche, 1892). Styan (1891) states that it is found sparingly on the lower Yangtse and von Heuglin 

 (1874a) has recorded it from Shanghai. Kleinschmidt (1913) includes it in his list of the birds of 

 Kiao-chow. Sowerby (1912) says it is the commonest duck on the borders of Shensi and Kansu, but 

 does not state at what time of year. Mr. Kuroda writes me that it is a rare duck on the coasts of 

 China. 



The Pochard is included in Kuroda's (1918) list of the birds of Korea, and was found common at 

 Yokohama by Blakiston and Pryer (1882). As to its further status in Japan I can quote Mr. Kuro- 

 da's letter. He says it is a rare duck and a winter visitor north as far as Hokkaido (Yezo), Hondo and 

 south to Shikoku, Kiusiu and also to Korea. Seebohm (1892) seemed not to be certain whether the 

 bird was a resident or only a winter resident, but the breeding range is probably far to the westward 

 of Japan. 



Migration 



Since the seasonal movements of the Pochard present no particular characteristics, it may suffice to 

 enumerate a number of representative dates. Those birds that do not stay to breed, leave northern 

 Africa usually in March (J. I. S. Whitaker, 1905), though some linger till April or even May in Mo- 

 rocco (Favier, fide Irby, 1875). They pass over Corsica late in February or early in March (J. White- 

 head, 1885), over Spain late in February (Arevalo y Baca, 1887), over Portugal in March (de Seabra, 

 1910), through Italy late in February or early in March (Giglioli, 1886; Arrigoni degli Oddi, 1904), 

 through Hungary (average arrival 1895-1911) about March 14 (Lambrecht, 1912), and through 

 Switzerland in March (Fatio, 1904), arriving in Germany in March (Naumann, 1896-1905) and in 

 Denmark early in April (Collin, fide Dresser, 1871-81 ; Helms, 1905). Farther eastward the migration 

 is somewhat later, dates of arrival being: Kief, March 15-April 15 (Goebel, 1871); Moscow, early 

 April (Lorenz, 1892); Pskof, early April (Zarudny, 1910); Baltic Provinces, early April (Loudon, 

 1909); Petrograd, April (Bianchi, 1907); Poland, early April (Taczanowski, 1888). 



The autumn-migration dates for Europe are: Denmark, October and November (Collin, fide Dres- 

 ser, 1871-81); Germany, early October to middle of November (Naumann, 1896-1905); Bohemia, 

 October and November (Fritsch, 1872); Switzerland, late October and November (Fatio, 1904); 

 France, late October (Degland and Gerbe, 1867); Italy, September to November (Giglioli, 1886); 

 Portugal, December (de Seabra, 1910); Spain, November (Arevalo y Baca, 1887); Morocco, October 

 (Favier, fide Irby, 1875); Tunis, October and November (J. I. S. Whitaker, 1905). In Russia they 

 stay near Petrograd till November (Bianchi, 1907); they leave the Baltic Provinces by November 1 

 (Loudon, 1909); Pskof, late September (Zarudny, 1910); Moscow, late September (Lorenz, 1892); 

 Kief, October 15 to November 1 (Goebel, 1871). Birds that winter in the British Isles arrive there in 

 October and November. 



