Bill broad and flattened; irides red ; tail consisting of 
fourteen feathers ; feet broad. The female has the mark- 
ings o^eneraliy disposed like the male, but the cbesnut colour 
of the head is duller, and the other colours are more 
blended. 
^ein^ the only British Duck with red eyes, these will 
al ways detect the bird, though su,bject to considerable 
variety in plumage. 
The Pochard or Dun Bird is frequently cauo^ht with 
other wild fowl in decoys, and from thence is often sent in 
considerable numbers to the London markets; it is not a little 
remarkable that in some winters these birds are so rare that 
scarcely any are seen during the whole winter, and at others 
tliey are met with in the greatest profusion, and this cir- 
cumstance does not appear to be influenced by the greater 
or lesser degree oP coid, as in very mild as well in ex- 
tremely severe seasons, we have known them to be sent to 
the markets in great quantities, from places where, perhaps, 
for several successive years scarcely a bird has been seen. 
This species is several years attaining its full plumage, 
and when in its highest state of adolescence is often much 
deeper coloured ilv&n in our figure. It frequent^ extensive 
lakes, rivers, and ponds, is very active in the water, and 
from i s propensity to dive is not a favourite with the pro- 
prietors of decoys, as from its restless dispoi-ifi<» it is apt 
to disturb the other fowl ; it soon becomes tame in confine- 
ment, but we believe has not been known to breed in this 
country. 
