KED-CKESTED POCHAED. 



FULIGULA RUFINA (Pall.). 



Anas rufina, Pallas, Reise, ii., App. p. 713, no. 28 (1773) ; 



Naum. xii. p. 7. 

 Aythya rufina, Macg. v. p. 109. 



Fuligula rufina, Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 407; Dresser, vi. p. 559. 



Canard siffleur huppe, French ; Kolben-Ente, German ; 

 Sivert (Valencia), Spanish ; Bech vermeil, Catalan. 



A very rare visitor to our islands, which lie far to the 

 north of its habitual range. I have met with this fine 

 species in various parts of the Mediterranean, notably in 

 great numbers in the island of Sardinia, and also in the 

 marshes of Eastern Sicily, where it breeds. I noticed 

 more than once that a flock of these birds, on being 

 disturbed, even long before the commencement of the 

 pairing-season, would generally separate into pairs and 

 make off in all directions, instead of circling around in 

 undivided company, as is the usual habit of this 

 gregarious family. This bird loves deep quiet waters, 

 and is a very fine diver. The usual winter cry 

 resembles that of most of the better-known Fuligula, a 

 rattling croak, but the pairing-note of the male is a low 

 whistle that I have frequently heard from pinioned birds 

 on the ponds at Lilford. 



