308 ANATID/E : SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 



inches long ; wing i i.oo ; total length about 24 00. Bill black and 

 blue, feet grayish-blue ; head and upper neck dark brown, with 

 green and purple gloss ; side of neck with a long white stripe ; 

 lower neck and under parts white; dorsal line of neck black, 

 passing into the gray of the back, which, like the sides, is 

 vermiculated with black ; speculum greenish-purple, anteriorly 

 bordered by buff tips of the greater coverts, elsewhere by black 

 and white ; tertials and scapulars black and silvery. Female and 

 young with the whole head and neck speckled or finely streaked 

 with dark brown and grayish or yellowish -brown ; below dusky- 

 freckled ; above, blackish, all the feathers pale-edged ; only 

 a trace of the speculum between the white or whitish tips of the 

 greater coverts and secondaries. 



A winter resident, and not very common; most 

 numerous during the migrations, and particularly in the 

 fall. 



THE GADWALL. 



Chaulelasmus streperus (Z.) Gray. 



Chars. Male : with most of tlie plumage barred or half-ringed with 

 black and white, or whitish ; middle wing-coverts chestnut ; 

 greater coverts black, speculutn white ; female known by these 

 wing-marks. Length, 19.00-22.50 ; extent, 30.00 ; wing, 10.00- 

 11.00; bill, 1.66; tarsus, 1.75. 



Occurring during the migrations, with some reg- 

 ularity, but far from common. This Duck very probably 

 breeds in the swamps of Maine, though the fact has not 

 been determined. The eggs are of the usual shape, of a 

 uniform creamy-buff color, and measure a trifle over 2.00 

 in length by about 1.50 in breadth. 



