THE RED-CRESTED POCHARD. 

 Netta rufina (Pallas). 

 Plate 48. 



All the ducks hitherto described may be classed as "surface-feeders," these 

 usually seeking their food on or close to the surface of the water, whilst the 

 Pochards and other species which follow obtain it more or less by diving, and are 

 easily distinguished from the former by the large lobe on the hind toe. 



The Red-crested Pochard is a rather uncommon autumnal and winter visitant 

 to England, mostly appearing on the East Coast, and in Scotland and Ireland 

 only two occurrences have been reported, one in Argyllshire and the other in 

 Kerry. Its true home is in Southern Europe, the birds ranging eastwards to 

 Central Asia, and in winter visiting India. Large numbers are found in North 

 Africa during the cold season, in which country it also breeds. 



The nest, hidden among flags and rushes near water, contains from six to ten 

 eggs of a decided greenish stone-colour, paler and greener than those of the 

 Common Pochard. 



The late Lord Lilford describes the winter cry of this species as a " rattling 

 croak," and the pairing note of the male as " a low whistle." 



It feeds chiefly on the roots of aquatic plants and other vegetable matter, as 

 well as on water-insects, crustaceans, molluscs, fishes, &c., obtained both by day 

 and by night. 



In disposition it is shy and timid, and loves the seclusion of large sheets of 

 deep, still water. 



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