298 GAD WALL— CALL-BLADDER 



the fine comb-like " teeth " Avith which its maxillae are furnished, 

 considered by many modern ornithologists to require removal from 

 the genus Anas to that of Chaulelasmus or Ctencn-hyndms, of which 



it is the typical species. Its geograph- 

 ical distribution is almost identical with 

 that of the common Wild Duck or 

 Mallard, since it is found over the 

 Gadwall. (After Swainson.) greater part of the Northern Hemi- 

 sphere ; but, save in India, where it 

 is said to be perhaps the most plentiful species of Duck during the 

 cold weather, it is hardly anywhere so numerous ; and both in the 

 eastern parts of North America and in the British Islands it is rather 

 rare than otherwise. Its habits also, so far as they have been ob- 

 served, greatly resemble those of the Wild Duck ; but its appear- 

 ance on the water is very different, its small head, fiat back, elongated 

 form, and elevated stern rendering it recognizable by the fowler 

 even at such a distance as hinders him from seeing its very 

 distinct plumage. In coloration the two sexes agree much more 

 than is the case Avith any of the European Freshwater-Ducks, 

 Anatirice — one only, the ^««s marmorata, excepted; but on closer 

 inspection the drake exhibits a delicate ash-coloured breast, and 

 upper -wing-coverts of a deep chestnut, which are wholly Avanting in 

 his soberly clad partner. She, however, has, in common Avith him, 

 a pure Avhite patch on the AAangs, Avhich forms one of the most 

 readily-perceived distinctive characters of the species. The GadAvall 

 is a bird of some interest, since it is one of the feAV that haA'e been 

 induced, by the protection afforded them in certain localities, to 

 resume the indigenous position they once filled, but had, through 

 the draining and reclaiming of marshy lands, long since abandoned. 

 In regard to the present species, this fact is due to the efforts of the 

 late Mr. AndreAV Fountaine, on Avhose property, in West Norfolk, 

 and its immediate neighbourhood^ the GadAvall has, since 1850,^ 

 annually bred in constantly increasing numbers, so that it may 

 again be accounted, in the fullest sense of the Avord, an inhabitant 

 of England ; and, as it has been ahvays esteemed one of the best of 

 Avdld foAvl for the table, the satisfactory result of its encouragement 

 by this gentleman is not to be despised. A second species, C. couesi, 

 from Washington Island, one of the Fanning group, has been 

 described (Btill. Nutt. Orn. Club, i. p. 46). 



GALL-BLADDER, the receptacle of the bile secreted by the 

 Liver, on the right lobe of Avhich it is situated, betAveen that and 

 the proventriculus. When large it hangs doAvn on the right side of 



almost indifferently, or with some distinguishing epithet, to the female of any of 

 the Freshwater-Ducks, and especially to the present. 



^ Stevenson and Southwell, Birds of Norfolk, iii. pp. 160-162. 



