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valuable acquisition to my collection, I could not forbear feeling that 

 Nature had been robbed of one of her greatest ornaments. 



I have since killed a few along the south shore of Long Island. 

 It is very shy, seldom obeys the decoys, and is exceedingly difficult 

 to approach, unless the gunner advances, as opportunity offers, un- 

 der cover of the reeds and rushes. At Egg Harbor a few are seen 

 almost every spring and autumn, and are there known by the name 

 of " Welsh Drake ' or " C4erman Duck." The Gadwall is one of 

 the most active of its tribe ; it flies swiftly, and is an excellent diver. 

 The last individual which I have met with, I observed on " East 

 Neck Creek," Huntington South. It was swimming down the 

 stream, a short distance from the bank ; and while I was in the act 

 of raising my gun to fire, it took alarm, and instantly passed out of 

 sight. As it did not appear again, I concluded that it swam under 

 the water to the bank, and concealed itself among the rushes. All 

 the traits of character that I have had an opportunity of observing 

 in this bird, proves it to be of an exceedingly timid disposition. Its- 

 choice of food I cannot particularize, but from the superior quality 

 of its flesh, I am inclined to the opinion that it subsists chiefly on 

 vegetable matter. 



ANAS AMERICANA— GMEL. 



AMERICAN WIDGEON. 



American Widgeon, Anas Americana, Wils. Amer. Orrn^ 



Anas Americana, Bonap. Syn. 



American Widgeon, Sw. <fe Rich. 



American Widgeon, Anas Americana, Nutt. Man. 



American Widgeon, Anas Americana, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill short, the color light grayish-blue ; spec- 

 ulum green, banded with black ; under wing coverts white. — - 

 Adult male with the loral space, sides of the head below the eye, 

 upper part of the neck and throat brownish-white, spotted with 

 black ; a broad band of white, commencing at the base of the 

 upper mandible, passing over the crown ; behind the eye, a broad 

 band of bright green, extending backwards on the hind neck about 



