GADWALL 95 



GADWALL. Anas strepera (Linnaeus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain,' vol. v, 

 pi. 19; Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. vi, pi. 424; 

 Lilford, ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vii, pi. 34 ; Booth, 

 1 Eough Notes,' vol. iii, pis. 5 and 6. 



The Gadwall is only an irregular visitor to our country, 

 and is by no means common. 



The female somewhat resembles in size and colour the 

 Mallard of the same sex, and thus may be easily overlooked, 

 though the white patch on the wing distinguishes the species. 



The Gadw r all is more often seen on fresh than on salt 

 water, still, it is significant to note that it has been recorded 

 more frequently from or near maritime counties than from 

 inland districts, especially in Ireland (Ussher). On the Moy 

 estuary it has been seen feeding with Wigeon (Warren). 

 It also visits the coasts of Scotland, including the Hebrides 

 and Orkneys. It is rather solitary and very shy, and 

 delights in the quietude and shelter of small lakes and pools, 

 fringed with such aquatic herbage as weeds and rushes. 



Food. Its food, taken chiefly at night, consists of green 

 vegetables, seeds and grain. In the gizzard of an adult 

 male specimen sent me from co. Clare by Rev. S. W. King, 

 I found quantities of minute reddish-brown seeds mixed with 

 coarse sand and grit. In the gizzard of another adult male 

 sent me from co. Waterford by Mr. Ussher, I found shreds 

 of fine grasses and an abundance of glistening sand. 



Flight. On the wing this Duck strongly resembles the 

 Mallard, but the flight of the former is even swifter and 

 more buoyant. 



Voice. The voice is a low cackling sound, and may 

 be syllabled quack -quack, quack-quack, in rapid succession. 



Nest. The Gadwall breeds on the ground, generally in 

 the vicinity of fresh water. The nest, lined with down, is 

 built of grasses and other vegetation. The eggs are shaded 

 from light buff-colour to almost creamy-white. The clutch 

 numbers from eight to thirteen. 



This bird now breeds in fair numbers in Norfolk. About 

 half a century ago some pinioned birds were turned down 

 on the lake at Narford Hall, and it is their descendants, 

 together with such wild migrants as they have induced to 

 remain during spring and summer, which represent the 

 breeding-stock. In Norfolk this species is increasing, and 

 under adequate protection it will probably extend its 

 breeding-range to other adjacent counties. 



