304 THE GADWALL. 



"differs in having the colours on the wings duller, though 

 marked the same as the male; the breast reddish brown spotted 

 with black; the feathers on the neck and back edged with pale 

 red; rump the same instead of black; and those elegant semi- 

 circular lines on the neck and breast wholly wanting." 



The flesh of this duck is excellent, and the windpipe of the 

 male is furnished with a large labyrinth. 



The Gad wall is very rare in the northern parts of the United 

 States; is said to inhabit England in winter, and various parts 

 of France and Italy; migrates to Sweden, and is found through- 

 out Russia and Siberia.* 



It is a very quick diver, so as to make it difficult to be shot; 

 flies also with great rapidity, and utters a note not unlike that 

 of the Mallard, but louder. Is fond of salines and ponds over- 

 grown with reeds and rushes. Feeds during the day, as well as 

 in the morning and evening. 



Note. A male specimen shot by Mr. Ord in East Florida, in 

 the month of February, had its crown of a pale ferruginous, mixed 

 with brown; head and neck yellowish white, barred and mottled 

 with brown; back, outer scapulars, vent and flanks, brown, with 

 pale zigzag lines; some of the inner scapulars reddish and cine- 

 reous brown; upper and under tail-coverts velvet black; legs 

 and feet yellow ochre, part of the webs dusky. Weight two 

 pounds. 



This species is very rare on the Delaware; but in East Flo- 

 rida it is common. On the fresh water ponds, in the vicinity of 

 the river St. John, Mr. Ord shot many of them; and found them 

 in good condition, and excellent eating. 



* Latham. 



