REDHEAD. 
341 
breed in all parts of the fur countries, from the 50th parallel 
to their utmost boreal limits, and, dwelling in fresh waters, are 
seen to associate generally with the AN.M'iNAt, or proper Ducks, 
taking to the sea in autumn with their broods, and appearing 
within the limits of the United States towards the close of 
October; they afterwards spread themselves over the bays, 
rivers, and freshwater lakes at no great distance from the sea. 
In the Bay of Chesapeake and its tributary streams they are 
now seen in flocks with the Canvas-backs, and feed much on 
the same kind of submarine grass, or wrack-weed, on which 
they become very fat, and are in flavor and size but little infe- 
rior to their companions, — being often, in fact, both sold and 
eaten for the same, witliout the aid of any very sensible impo- 
sition. In the months of February and March they are com- 
mon in the fresh waters of North and South Carolina, where 
many pass the greater part of the winter ; they are also seen 
at this season in the lower part of the Mississijipi, around 
Natchez, and probably accompany the flocks of the preceding 
species near New Orleans. Brisson’s Mexican Pochard, de- 
scribed by Fernandez, is also in all probability the same 
bird. 
d'he Pochards dive and swim with great agility. They are 
in England sometimes taken in the decoy jrools in the usual 
manner of driving, but are by no means welcome visitors ; for 
by their continual diving they disturb the rest of the fowls on 
the water, and thus prevent their being enticed into the tunnel 
nets ; nor are they willingly decoyed with the other Ducks. 
They are said to walk awkwardly and with difficulty. It is 
also added that their cry more resembles the hollow hiss of a 
serpent than the voice of a bird. Their flight is more rapid 
than that of the common Wild Duck, and the noise of their 
wings very different. 'Phe troop forms a close body in the air ; 
but\hey do not proceed in angular lines or obey any partic- 
ular leader, nor have they any call sufficient for the purpose. 
On their first arrival they are restless and watchful, alighting 
on the water, and then again wheeling and reconnoitring in 
the air for some time, uncertain in the choice of their move- 
