​​Observations of the Fauna of Norfolk by the Rev. Richard Lubbock (1845) - The Pochard - Provincial, "Poker," "Sandy Poker," "Dunbird." Frequents our broads in large flocks during winter, resting generally in the day-time on some of the larger decoys, and in its evening flight removing to the most extensive waters, such as Breedon water, Horsey mere, Hickling broad, &c. This last is a favourite haunt of the Pochard on account of its shallowness, which gives the bird easy access to those beds of weeds from which it draws support. The whole night is spent by these birds in diving for their food, and "working" of a large flock of Pochards, may be heard, on a still night, at least half a mile. They are occasionally seen at sea, but are only accidental visitants there. The Pochard appears sometimes in frost upon the higher parts of our rivers, but not so commonly as the Tufted Duck and the Golden Eye. The Teal is more abundant with us in November perhaps then any other month, as many seem to migrate south in great extremity of weather. Being one of the ducks which prefer fresh water, it is often found on our brooks and smaller streams.

    Severe winters bring us specimens of many of the rarer kinds. The Velvet Duck (A. fusca) is found in some numbers occasionally. Their scarcity is probably more in appearance than reality; they, like the scoter, keep to sea whenever possible, as nothing but most tempestuous weather will bring them to the inland waters. The Scoter appears upon the coast every winter. It very seldom quits the ocean. Very severe weather brings a few of the Long-tailed Ducks; but their nature appears so hardy that they remain the whole winter in more northern latitudes. The Gadwall is scarce in Norfolk. That beautiful bird, the Harlequin Duck has occurred in one or two instances. The Smew in adult plumage in very uncommon. In immature plumage it is more frequent.

   I should say that, among others, there are two causes that rendered the study of many of the our water birds intricate until lately - the great difference of summer and winter plumage in many of the waders was not rightly understood; take the knot for instance, in summer garb and in winter, - no wonder that for very many years, and by different naturalists, these were made different species; and, secondly, the ignorance which prevailed as to the double moult, and change of plumage which takes place yearly in many of the duck tribe, being complete in some and only a partial variation in other species.

   There can be no greater proof of how rich a mine of undiscovered material remain, then the fact afforded by British swans. Until lately, the Wild Swan, Elk or Hooper, and the Tame or Mute, were the only English known species; now within the last fifteen years, it has been found that a species, somewhat smaller, and differing in several peculiarities, called a Bewick's Swan, is nearly as common as the hooper.