RED-CRESTED POCHARD. 187 



24. Branta rufina, Pallas. 



Anas apud Pallas— Blyth, Cat. 1784— Gould, Birds of 

 Europe, pi. 369— Sykes, Cat. 223 and 224? 



The Red-crested Pochard. 



Descr. — -Male, head, cheeks, throat, and upper part of the neck 

 reddish-bay ; the feathers on the crown elongated and of a silky 

 texture, forming a crest somewhat paler than the rest of the head ; 

 back, wings, and tail yellowish-brown ; the bend of the wing, a 

 large spot on the sides of the back, the speculum, and the base 

 of the primary quills white ; lower part of the neck, breast, and 

 abdomen deep black ; the flanks white. 



Bill bright vermilion red, the tip white ; irides red ; legs orange- 

 red. Length 22 inches ; wing 10J ; tail 3 ; bill at front 2J ; 

 tarsus 1J; mid-toe 2 J. 



The female has the upper parts pale yellowish-brown, darker 

 on the head and neck, and the crest less developed ; speculum 

 half greyish-white, half pale brown ; base of the quills white, 

 tinged with brown ; breast and flanks yellowish-brown ; belly grey ; 

 bill and feet reddish-brown. 



This fine Duck is found throughout the greater part of India, 

 is more rare in the South, and chiefly frequents the larger tanks 

 and j heels. It generally keeps to the middle of the tanks, and is a 

 wary bird, not usually allowing a near approach. Its flesh is juicy, 

 tender, and high flavored, and it is, by some, considered the finest 

 Duck for the table. A writer in the India Sporting Review remarks, 

 that during the day, they are constantly on the move, f now pursuing 

 one another, now screaming, all up at once, then down again.' 



It is chiefly a native of Northern Asia, .North-Eastern Europe, 

 and Northern Africa, (where it is said to breed in marshes, laying 

 seven or eight brilliant green eggs,) wandering South in winter, 

 and very rarely extending its migrations as far West as Britain. 

 No other species of this genus is recorded. 

 Gen. Aythya, Boie. 



Syn. Nyroca, Fleming. 



Char. — Bill long, raised at the base, broad, depressed, and obtuse 

 at the tip, of nearly uniform width throughout ; lamellae not pro- 



