WATER BIRDS. 



The Gadwell, or Grey. 



The Snipe. 



The Gadwell, or Grey, inhabits the northern regions of either continent, but here goes not fnrther north 

 than sixty-eight degrees, and in Europe not higher than Sweden. Their migrations seem to be to the 

 warmer parts of Europe, since they appear chiefly on the Mediterranean coasts. Occasionally they are 

 seen here, but not often. Their nests are mostly made among rushes, where they lay eight or nine greenish 

 eggs. They are much esteemed as game, but difficult to catch. 



The Cape Penguin is very common at the Cape of Good Hope, and the Falkland Islands. Its food is 

 fish, and in diving its little plumelet wings are used as fins, while on land they serve as fore legs. It might 

 easily be mistaken for a quadruped, while crawling through the tussocks, as while fishing it might be taken 

 for a fish, leaping for sport. 



The Snipe, in its habits, greatly resembles the Woodcock, described elsewhere in this volume, 

 is so singular, that it is difficult shooting it. 



Its flight 



The Perroquet Auk abounds in Kamschatka, and kindred northern regions. They are wondrous di\ era 

 and swimmers, but simpletons in other matters, it would seem, from the stories told of them. They lay 

 one large egg, and this about midsummer. 



The Summer, or Wood Duck, is the most beautiful of its genus, and, according to Nuttall, is peculiar to 

 America. It lives and breeds through the whole space, from Hudson's bay, fifty-four degrees north, to 

 Mexico and the Antilles. The food of this bird is acorns, the seeds of aquatic plants, and insects, 

 which frequent waters. It is much esteemed as food, and is often found in the markets of the eastern 

 and middle states. This Duck can be tamed, and soon grows familiar. 



Woodcock. 



PejTi |it«t Auk. 



(313) 



Summer, or Wood Duck 



27 



idem 



Cape Penguin. 



