POCHARD.
HWTAD HEN GOCH, OF THE ANCIENT B R I T I S H.
RED-HEADBD l'OITI \RI). COMMON POCHARD. POCHARD DUCK.
Dl N KI HD, (FEMALE.) RED-HEADED WIG EON.
Anas /trina, PENNANT. MONTAGU.
Fuligula ferina, SELIJY. JENYNS.
Nyroca ferina, FLEMING.
Anas—A Duck. Fitina— ?
THE species of bird before us extends in its geographical range
over a great portion of the continents of Europe and N o r t h America,
going as far south in the last-named as Louisiana and Carolina; and
is very plentiful in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
They breed in the Fur Countries in the extreme north. Many likewise
in various parts of Germany, Russia, and Holland. Some also,
apparently, in France. They are taken too in Italy, and are found
in Denmark and Sweden. In Asia the species occurs, namely, in
India. It is recorded to have been met with in Africa—in Egypt.
In England it is, or used to be, the most abundant in Lincolnshire
and Norfolk, but the drainage of the fens has made a great difference
in its numbers. It is seen stUl on Croxbv Lake, and elsewhere;
also in the counties of Dorset, Hants, and Surrey.
It haunts inland lakes, rivers, brooks, ponds, and ditches, wdiose
banks afford a shelter of alders, willows, reeds, and rushes, and other
trees and plants, and also frequents the sea-coast.
The Pochard breeds in considerable numbers at Hornsea Mere, in
front of AVassand, the scat of the late Rev. Charles Constable, in
Yorkshire; so some have done also on a piece of water near Scarborough.
It is met with in many parts of the county, more or less