GADWALL. 
135. Chaulelasmus streperus. 20 in. 
Male with chestnut wing coverts and white speculum; 
lining of wings white; eyes brown. The female is simi- 
lar, but the back and wings are brownish-gray and the 
speculum gray and white. A rather rare migrant 1m § 
New England, common in the Middle States and abun- | 
dant west of the Mississippi. They are usually found — 
in meadows and grain fields bordering marshes or lakes. | 
As is usual with ducks, these do most of their feeding 
early in the morning or after dusk, and _ spend the 
greater part of the day in sleeping. They are of the 
most active and noisy of ducks, which accounts for their 
Latin name “ streperus,” meaning noisy. 
Notes.—A rapid, shrill quacking. 
Nest.—Feather-lined hollows in the ground, concealed 
by patches of weeds or tall grass. Eggs 7 to 10, creamy 
buff color (2.10x 1.60); May, June. 
Range.—Northern Hemisphere; breeds in northern 
United States, except the eastern portion, and in Can- 
ada; winters along the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 
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