WILD FOWL 
of the male, but the marginal coverts are not pure white, and the median 
and greater coverts are browner, less grey; the longest axillary plumes 
slightly tipped with brown. Iris light reddish-brown; bill and legs dull 
red. Total length about 20 '5 inches; bill 1*9 inch; wing 10*0 inches; tail 
3*0 inches; tarsus 1 *7 inch. 
General distribution . — ^The red -crested pochard breeds in the central and 
southern parts of Europe, from South Germany to Spain and the delta 
of the Rhone eastwards, being abundant in the Danube Valley and parts 
of Southern Russia; in Asia it is met with in summer from Northern 
Persia to Eastern Turkestan. Southwards it nests in North Africa, north 
of the Sahara, frequenting the fresh -water lakes and marshes; but appears 
to be rare in Egypt. In winter it inhabits the basins of the Mediterranean, 
Black and Caspian Seas, ranging to India, where it is plentiful in the 
northern parts, but somewhat scarce in the south, though probably extend- 
ing to Ceylon, and occasionally to Western China. It has been known to 
wander accidentally to North Europe and the Eastern United States. 
North of about 50° N. latitude it is an accidental visitor in Western Europe 
to Pomerania, the Baltic Provinces, Denmark, Belgium, etc., and to the 
British Isles. 
Distribution in the British Isles.— ’KW the examples but one met with in this 
country have been procured in autumn and winter, chiefly on the east and 
south coasts of England, while individuals have occurred in Pembroke- 
shire, Westmoreland, Argyleshire, and co. Kerry. 
Nest and eggs . — The nest seems to be generally placed in marshy 
ground, near water, in dense herbage, and is thickly lined with down. 
The eggs, laid between April and June, are from seven to ten in number, 
of a greyish-green or pea-green colour, and measuring about 2*3 by 
1 *65 inches. 
The food consists of water-weeds, obtained by diving, small fish, 
insects, etc., and the flesh is highly esteemed, but, as is the case with 
most ducks, it varies in quality, and depends largely on the locality the 
birds are frequenting, and the nature of their food. 
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