252 ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



no means uncommon in the northern and midland 

 countries of Europe. It is recorded by Wilson, how- 

 ever, as a " very rare" visiter in the northern parts of 

 the United States, although generally dispersed in other 

 parts of the Union. From Dr. Richardson's * account, 

 indeed, it braves the rigours of the arctic regions, 

 breeding in the woody districts of the Barren Grounds, 

 up to their most northern limits, in latitude 68°; and 

 his specimens were shot on the Saskatchewan, towards 

 the middle of May. 



The haunts of the gadwall, in America, are on the 

 lakes, rivers, and marshes of the interior, particu- 

 larly such as abound with reeds and rank aquatic 

 grasses, in which they so much delight, as seldom to 

 visit the sea coast : their food, of course, is procured in 

 such situations, and consists of aquatic insects, plants, 

 and seeds. Dead birds are not unfrequently exposed 

 for sale in the poulterers' shops of London, in May and 

 June ; and we have likewise seen them in those at 

 Liverpool. It feeds during the night, and passes the 

 day concealed among the reeds and rushes. In com- 

 parison with the mallard and other kindred forms, its 

 powers of flight are very superior ; and, unlike most of 

 the river ducks, it dives with the same facility and 

 frequency as many of the lobed or marine ducks. 



In the male, the head and neck are grey, spotted 

 with brown : the under part of the neck, the back, and 

 breast are marked with black lunules : the scapulars 

 and sides are barred with zigzag lines of white and 

 blackish : the lesser wing covers are chestnut red ; the 

 greater covers, rump, and under tail covers being deep 

 black ; the speculum, or wing spot, is altogether peculiar, 

 being of the purest white, bordered below with black, 

 so as to form three broad bands on the wing, of chest- 

 nut, black, and white : belly dull white : rump and tail 

 covers glossed with green : bill brownish black : legs 

 orange red. 



* North. ZooL ii. 436. 



