GADWALL. 373 



visits China and Japan sparingly. Northwards it appears 

 to be found across temperate Asia, where it probably breeds 

 in abundance, considering the numbers which visit India. 



In America this widely diffused species is found through- 

 out the northern portions of that continent, from the Pacific 

 to the Atlantic ; its migrations extending to the Bermudas, 

 the West Indian Islands, and Mexico. In the Fanning group, 

 near the Equator and in the middle of the Pacific, it is 

 represented by a distinct species. Anas (Chaulelasmvs) couesi. 

 The Gadwall, like the other Ducks of this division with 

 long and pointed wings, has a vigorous and rapid flight, 

 but, as already remarked, it appears to dislike exposure, and 

 hides itself among thick reeds and aquatic herbage. This 

 w^as observed to be the habit of a pair in the Gardens of the 

 Zoological Society, which mostly concealed themselves in 

 the long grass on the islands of the ornamental water in 

 which they were confined. This species bred there in the 

 season of 1839, and in many subsequent years down to 

 1861. In the wild state it usually makes its nest of grass, 

 lined with down, in a dry place at some little distance from 

 the w'ater ; the eggs, sometimes as many as thirteen in 

 number, are of a uniform buify-white, slightly tinged with 

 evanescent green when fresh ; and measure about 2*1 by 1*5 in. 

 The Gadwall feeds on seeds, grain, rice, and other vege- 

 table matter ; especially aquatic plants, which it procures 

 by stretching the head down in the water and not by diving; 

 it also devours small crustaceans and fish, frogs, and insects. 

 It usually migrates by night, at a considerable elevation. 



In the adult male the beak is lead-colour ; irides hazel ; 

 the head and upper part of the neck light brown, speckled 

 with darker brown ; back grey, produced by an alternation 

 of darker and lighter coloured grey lines ; small wing-coverts 

 chestnut ; the greater coverts almost black : primaries brown : 

 the secondaries brown and black, but the outer webs forming 

 a white speculum ; inner secondaries pointed, and of two 

 shades of brownish- grey, the darker colour occupying the 

 centre of each feather, the lighter colour forming the margin; 

 rump and upper tail-coverts bluish-black ; tail-feathers dark 



