POCHARD. 
came in view, paddling slowly inline. There Avere not above half a dozen in all, and for a time a more favoui- 
able chance was awaited. As the light increased, it became evident that with the exception of a single bird, 
I was unable to identify, feeding round a patch of floating weed at the distance of about fifty yards to the 
right, no other fowl could be reached without breaking through a quantity of drift-ice. At last the Pochards 
came slowly together, and dropping the barrel of the big gun, the lanyard was pulled ; a snap, however, 
was the sole response. Though not the sliglitest attention was paid to the crack of the cap by the party 
at which the gun had been aimed, the single fowl rose instantly on Aving, and flcAV straight to cross 
the muzzle of the gun. A second later the charge exploded, the shot being fatal to the half-dozen 
Pochard as well as the unknoAvn, Avhich fell stone-dead only fifty yards ahead of the punt. The first rays 
of the sun Avere now breaking throAigh, and as the bird was lifted on board, the singular bloom of claret tint 
on the head and neck was distinctly visible and at once attracted attention, leading eventually to the discovery 
of the white eye, dark back, and light markings on the Avings. 
An elaborate description of the specimen is not required, as the Plate will supply all necessary information 
concerning the plumage. 
