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valuable acquisition to my collection, I could not forbear feeling tliat 

 Nature had been robbed of one of her greatest ornaments. 



I have since killed a few along the south shore of Long Island. 

 It is very shy, seldom obeys the decoys, and is exceedingly difficult 

 to approach, unless the gunner advances, as opportunity offers, un- 

 der cover of the reeds and rushes. At Egg Harbor a few are seen 

 almost every spring and autumn, and are there known by the name 

 of " Welsh Drake' or " German Duck." The Gadwall is one of 

 the most active of its tribe ; it flies swiftly, and is an excellent diver. 

 The last individual which I have met with, I observed on " East 

 Neck Creek," Huntington South, It was swimming down the 

 stream, a short distance from the bank ; and while I was in the act 

 of raising my gun to fire, it took alarm, and instantly passed out of 

 sight. As it did not appear again, I concluded that it swam under 

 the water to the bank, and concealed itself among the rushes. All 

 the traits of character that I have had an opportunity of observing 

 in this bird, proves it to be of an exceedingly timid disposition. Its 

 choice of food I cannot particularize, but from the superior quality 

 of its flesh, I am inclined to the opinion that it subsists chiefly on 

 vegetable matter. 



ANAS AMERICANA— GMEL. 

 AMERICAN WIDGEON. 



American Widgeon, Anas Americana, Wils. Amer. Oriu, 



Anas Americana, Bonap. Sy". 



American Widgeon, Sw. ic Rich. 



American Widgeon, Anas Americana, Nutt. Man. 



American Widgeon, Anas Americana, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill short, the color light grayish-blue ; spec 

 ulum green, banded with black; under wing coverts white. — 

 Adult male with the loral space, sides of the head below the eye, 

 upper part of the neck and throat brownish-white, spotted with 

 black ; a broad band of white, commencing at the base of the 

 upper mandible, passing over the crown ; behind the eye, a broad 

 band of bright green, extending backwards on the hind neck about 



