POCHARD. 
FULWULA FERINA. 
The range of the Pochard extends over the British Islands from north to south ; in the east it is exceedingly 
common in all suitable localities ; in the west, however, thougli the species is said to he hy no means scarce, 
few have come under my observation. 
The shallow lochs in the eastern portions of Sutherland and Ross-shire are visited in autumn hy immense 
flocks of these divers, the majority usually taking their departure during March, the date varying somew'hat 
according to the weather. At times, when in small parties, they may be seen in company with Scaup 
and Tufted Ducks, the larger bodies more frequently remaining unmixed with strangers. Loch Slyn, a mile 
or two inland from the Dornoch Pirth, formerly possessed great attractions for these birds, the flocks, when 
disturbed, leaving the water and betaking themselves to the firth, returning usually in less than an hour 
to their favourite quarters. Though exceedingly unsuspicious on their first arrival, they speedily acquired the 
knowledge that the presence of a punt boded no good ; and no sooner was the craft afloat, than spreading out 
into a long line they swam slowly towards the east, ultimately, if pressed, getting on wing and making 
across the sand-hanks towards the firth. 
On the east end of Loch Shin in Sutherland an excellent chance of a heavy shot at the most compact body 
of Pochard I ever had the luck to approach within easy range was accidentally lost at the moment when 
a mishap appeared impossible. Shortly before daybreak on the 9th of March, 18G9, I was afloat waiting for 
the Dun-birds usually met with on this part of the water. Having at length, soon after sunrise, sighted the 
flock, numbering at least three hundred, about the centre of the narrow end of the loch, the punt was 
sculled cautiously towards them, the fowl at the same time opening out in line and paddling rapidly away 
towards the east end. A cart just then came in view along the road which borders the loch-side, and the 
whole body of fowl turned slowly round, evidently undecided what course to follow. At the very moment 
the birds had collected into a dense mass within sixty yards of the muzzle of the gun, and while merely waiting 
for the cart to pass out of the line of fire, tlie driver turned the horse’s head to the water and pulled up in 
order to allow the animal to drink. The sudden stoppage caused the unsuspecting flock at once to face 
the punt and warned them of the impending danger. AVhile getting on wing, and again after turning to 
make their way up the loch, they offered most tempting chances; but the proximity of the hotel and 
neighbouring houses rendered it utterly impossible to fire with safety at any elevation above the water. For 
the remainder of the day the birds proved restless ; and moving the punt further north on the 10th, it wns not 
till the 23rd of the month that I was again on the water. The greater part of the Pochard and the whole 
of the Tufted Ducks had now' taken their departiire, and little sport w'as met with during the day. As 
the night was fine and still, with a good moon, I started soon after 11 p.m., having previously despatched 
a man or tw'o to drive some small pieces of water among the hills to which the birds frequently resorted 
at feeding-time. While waiting quietly under the shelter of the bank on the south shore of the loch, the 
