THE POCHARD. 
129 
soon as my informant was able to renew the chase, this was 
recommenced, and continued in the same manner for some time 
longer, the bird always running when he ran, and stopping when 
he stopped. At last the object of pursuit was captured, and no 
mercy shown, though it deserved a better fate. The four slain were 
now sought for, but the chase had lasted so long as to enable 
two of them to recover themselves sufficiently to make their 
escape : they were not even seen again. Pochards and scaups, 
when wounded on the water, steal to the banks if they can quietly 
reach them, and are so much inclined to remain there, that from 
this habit alone disabled birds are known from others. 
When either species was wounded by one of our shooters, in 
calm weather, and the water was clear, instead of following them 
with his gun, he and his companion pursued them, armed with 
the setting-pole of the boat, which had an iron V-formed fork at 
the end. The birds were struck with this weapon while urging 
their way through the water from near the surface, to the depth 
of eight feet, which was as far as the pole would strike them 
effectively. In this manner they moved at least as quickly as 
they could have done by swimming on the surface. The sport 
was very exciting, from the quick rowing of the boat that was 
requisite, in consequence of the progress made by the birds, 
and the frequent change of tack necessary on account of their 
sudden turnings. They were merely struck by the pole, not 
brought up on its fork. One person rowed, while the other 
managed the pole. Many birds have been thus secured. 
The same observant shooter has often seen pochards and scaups 
that dived when wounded, keep close along the bottom, busily 
using their wings and feet all the time that he was in close 
pursuit. But, when merely feeding, both species dive down in 
water from three to nine feet in depth, and scoop along the 
surface of the mud at the bottom, for shell-fish. That they do 
so, is evident when the tide is out, by narrow zigzag lines, the 
breadth of their bills, being then observable. These lines are 
from one to five yards in length, and of a sinuous form, such as 
would be produced by the motion of the wings and body during 
VOL. III. K 
