The Ducks. 
147 
THE 
WHITE-EYED 
POCHARD. 
(Nyroca nyroca.) 
THE TUFTED 
SCAUP DUCK. 
( Fuligula fuligula.) 
Like the Pochard, this species has a chestnut head and a 
white wing-speculum, but, when adult, is always distinguishable 
by its white iris, though in young birds this is brown or brownish- 
grey. It has occurred in different parts of England, Ireland and 
Scotland, but is only an irregular visitor, coming to us in 
winter and in spring. It breeds throughout Central and Southern Europe, as far 
east as Central Asia and Cashmere. The White-eyed Pochard is a fresh-water 
Duck and resembles the Common Pochard in its habits. It feeds on all kinds of 
insects and grubs, as well as water-weeds, which it obtains under the water, being 
a most expert diver. The nest is built on the ground, and is made of dry flags and 
rushes, and lined with down and a few feathers. The eggs are from nine to 
fourteen in number, and are of a creamy-brown colour; they measure from two to 
two-and-a-quarter inches in length. 
In this species the back is uniform, and the head is very 
distinctly crested, while the wing-speculum is white. It nests 
in several places in England, Ireland and Scotland, generally on 
the shores of inland lakes. It likewise breeds throughout 
Northern Europe and extends to the Pacific Coast of Siberia, wintering in the 
Mediterranean countries, the Indian Peninsula and North-eastern Africa: it is also 
said to nest on some of the Abyssinian lakes. It is a fresh-water Duck, though 
many occur on the sea-coasts during the winter. Sometimes at the latter season 
of the year they appear in large numbers on inland lakes in company with Wigeon, 
and are very shy and circumspect. They feed on frogs, water-insects and leaves 
and stems of water-plants, and even on small fishes. The nest is placed in a 
tussock, or on grass-land, near the water, and is made of grass or sedge, 
lined with down. The eggs are from eight to twelve in number, of a stone- 
colour or greenish brown, and they measure about two-and-a-quarter inches in 
length. 
In this species the back is greyish-white, vermiculated all over 
with black lines. There is no crest, as in the Tufted Duck, 
but, like that species, the Scaup has a white speculum. The 
female is browner than the male, but has some grey specklings 
on the back. It has been said by Dr. Stark to breed on Loch Lomond, but otherwise 
it is only known as a winter visitor to Great Britain. It nests in the arctic 
regions of North America, as well as in Northern Europe and Asia, visiting India, 
China and the Mediterranean in the winter, when it also occurs as far south as the 
West Indies. The Scaup is an expert diver and obtains much of its food under 
water; it is gregarious in its habits, and generally gathers together in large flocks. 
The nest is placed on a- sloping bank, not far from water, and is well 
concealed, being often built under the shadow of a bush : it is merely a hole 
in the ground, lined with sedge and down from the bird’s body. The eggs 
10* 
THE 
SCAUP DUCK. 
( Fuligula marila.) 
