GADWALL 



135. Chaulelasmus streperus. 20 in. 



Male with chestnut wing coverts and white speculum; 

 lining of wings white; eyes brown. The female is simi- 

 lar, but the back and wings are brownish-gray and the 

 speculum gray and white. A rather rare migrant in 

 New England, common in the Middle States and abun- 

 dant west of the Mississippi. They are usually foun 

 in meadows and grain fields bordering marshes or lakes. 

 As is usual with ducks, these do most of their feeding 

 early in the morning or after dusk, and spend the 

 greater part of the day in sleeping. They are of the 

 most active and noisy of ducks, which accounts for their 

 Latin name " streperus," meaning noisy. 



Notes. A rapid, shrill quacking. 



Nest. Feather-lined hollows in the ground, concealed 

 by patches of weeds or tall grass. Eggs 7 to 10, creamy 

 buff color (2.10x1.60); May, June. 



Range. Northern Hemisphere; breeds in northern 

 United States, except the eastern portion, and in Can- 

 ada; winters along the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 



SI 



