242 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS 



The weight of a Mallard is about 3 lbs. ; of a 

 Duck, 2h lbs. 



GADWALL. Anas strepera, LinriEeus. PI, 28, fig. 9. 

 Length, 22 in. ; bill, 2 in. ; wing, 11 in. ; tarsus, 1-5 in. 



A rare winter visitant, less common in Scotland 

 and Ireland than in England, though annually visit- 

 ing Tiree, and perhaps hardly so rare in Ireland as 

 supposed. It has certainly been obtained in Queen's 

 Co., Waterford, Cork, Kerry, and Mayo, and speci- 

 mens have been bought from time to time in the 

 Dublin market. 



In Norfolk the Gadwall has of late years become 

 thoroughly established as a breeding species on 

 meres where it is specially protected ; and when 

 visiting Lord Walsingham at Merton, I have had 

 the pleasure of observing several of these ducks 

 with their young broods. I have never met with it 

 on the coast in winter, and regard it as essentially a 

 fresh-water Duck. The legs and toes are not en- 

 tirely dull yellow, as stated in some books, but have 

 the interdigital membranes dusky, or almost black. 

 In general appearance the Gadwall is not unlike the 

 female Wild Duck, but has a white speculum on 

 the wing, and the under tail-coverts spotted. Weight, 

 from 2 lbs. to 2 lbs. 6 oz. 



The origin of the name " Gadwall " is uncertain. 

 It is so spelled by Willughby in 1678, but Merrett 

 in 1667 has " gaddel," which may be an error of 

 transcription for " gabble," bestowed on account of 

 its noisy cry ; hence the specific name strepera. 



