124 GAD WALL. 



CHAULIODUS, Swainson. Generic characters, 

 Bill long, rather depressed, of equal width 

 throughout; laminas strong, developed, and 

 visible externally ; nostrils pierced through ; 

 wings long, accumulated ; tail rounded, up- 

 per and under covers nearly equalling it in 

 length. 



Types. C. strepera, &c. Europe, Asia, Africa, 

 America. 



Note. Habits fluviatile and lacustrine, diving in 

 search of prey. Form not known in the Poly- 

 nesian Archipelago. 



THE GADWALL, CHAULIODUS STREPERA, Swain- 

 son. Anas strepera, Linn.) tyc. Canard Chipeon 

 ou Rideau, Temm. Gadwall, or Grey of British 

 authors. From the rarity of the Gad wall in Britain 

 we have had little opportunity of observing its ha- 

 bits, and have only seen it recent in the shops of 

 the London poulterers in spring, or living in one or 

 two instances on the " Meers" of Holland, during 

 a short excursion through that country. The latter 

 were in small parties upon the water, feeding by 

 constantly diving, which they appeared to do freely, 

 though remaining under water for only a short pe- 

 riod. According to Temminck, it is abundant in 

 that country, breeding in the marshes. In Ireland 

 it is said to be but rarely met with, and we do not 

 recollect of any instance of its occurrence in Scotland, 

 though lately specimens have been seen, we believe, 



