inches; wing, 10 to 12 inches; bill, 2% inches. 



Female Total length, from 18 to 20 inches; wing, 9 

 to 10 inches; bill, 2 to 2% inches. 



THE GADWALL 



(Anas strepera) 



The gadwall was at one time quite plentiful on the 

 shooting grounds of California, south of San Francisco; 

 but, on account of our season opening later and closing 

 earlier than in years past, few are killed now. The 

 gadwall is really a southern duck, coming into the 

 United States to breed. When the California season 

 opened on the first of September and closed the first 

 of April, there were plenty of gadwall found on its 

 ponds in the early fall and late in the spring. Now, 

 but few are killed except in the southern part of the 

 state. Such as are killed are generally found on the 

 mountain lakes and ponds of the higher valleys. On 

 the waters of Mexico and Lower California, however, 

 they are met with in good numbers. 



The gadwall, however, migrates as far north as British 

 Columbia for breeding purposes as well as breeding on 

 the mountain lakes of all the territory through which 

 it ranges. 



Color Head, light brown, finely mottled with dark 

 brown and black; neck and breast, finely streaked with 

 wavy black and white; under parts, grayish white; 

 rump and tail, black; speculum, black and white, with 

 the lesser wing-coverts chestnut; feet, orange, and bill 

 nearly white. 



Female Closely resembling the male but with very 

 little chestnut on the wings. 



Nest and Eggs The nest which is usually made a 

 little way back from the water is lined with dead grass, 

 and contains from ten to twelve eggs of a light buff 

 color. 



Measurements Total length, about 19 inches; wing, 

 10, and bill, 1.60. 



THE WIDGEON 



(Anas Americana) 



The widgeon is one of the most common ducks of the 

 Coast, both north and south. As well as being one of 

 the most plentiful of the interior lakes and ponds, they 

 are found in great numbers on the salt marshes and 

 tide overflows, and even form great dark patches on 

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