146 
British Birds. 
it is found in the Black and Caspian Seas, and occurs in large numbers in North- 
western India at that season of the year. 
It is a fresh-water Duck and frequents open broads and lagoons, where it feeds 
on frogs and small fishes, shells and insects. The nest is placed close to the water, 
and is made of dead leaves and stems of rushes. The eggs are from seven to nine 
in number and, when fresh, are bright green, but fade to greenish-white: their 
length is about two-and-a-quarter inches. 
The Pochard has not so broad a bill as the members of the 
following genus Fuligula, and it has not such prominent 
THE POCHARD. 
( Nyroca nyroca.) 
indentations on the upper mandible as in the genus Netta. The 
rufous head and the grey back, finely vermiculated with black, and the grey wing- 
The White-eyed Pochard. The Scaup Duck. The Pochard. 
speculum, serve to distinguish the Pochard, which also has the bill leaden-blue with 
a black base and tip. 
The present species breeds in a few places in England and Scotland, and is said to 
be increasing in numbers. In Ireland it is also believed to nest, but at present positive 
proof of the fact is wanting. It does not breed in Northern Europe, but is found 
from Central and Southern Europe to Central Asia and Eastern Siberia. It is a 
fresh-water Duck, but is seen on the sea-coasts in winter. It feeds chiefly at 
night and is a fine diver. The nest is made of dead grass and sedge, and is lined 
with down ; the eggs are from seven to ten in number, or even more ; they are 
greenish or greenish stone-colour, and measure about two-and-a-half inches in 
length. 
