508 LAMELLIROSTPvAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



migrations to the north wholly to the eastward of Slave Lake. He was unable to 

 detect it in either the Yukon or Mackenzie liegion. If occiu-ring at all, even at Slave 

 Lake, he believes he should at least have heard of it from the Indians, for, unobser- 

 vant as they are of the smaller birds, they pay attention to anything that affords them 

 food, and the Oi^ippewayans of Slave Lake shoot large numbers of Ducks. The Gad- 

 wall is not, so far as he kuew, an abundant species in any part of North America, 

 though it is not uncommon in October in Northern Illinois ; and Eiehardson mentions 

 it as common in summer on the Saskatchewan. i\Ir. IMerrill found it breeding at 

 Anticosti, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Dr. Suckley observed it in summer in Min- 

 nesota, and Captain Bendire found it breeding in Eastern Oregon. 



According to Mr. Dall, a single specimen was procured in British Columbia by Mr. 

 Elliott, and he believes that its range extends as far as tlie vicinity of Sitka. 



This species is included by Mr. R. Browne among the birds of Vancouver Island ; 

 and it was found on the Pacific coast of Mexico by Colonel Grayson, who speaks of 

 it as being abundant from November until late in the spring in the neighborhood of 

 Mazatlan. According to Dr. Cooper, it is also common in the winter throughout 

 California, in company with other fresh-water Ducks, and sometimes in distinct 

 flocks. This Duck is said to be generally shy and quiet, feeding mostly in the twi- 

 light, and hiding much of the time among the reeds and bushes. It has, however, 

 considerable power of voice, and in the spring is at times quite noisy. 



Dr. Heermann states that it breeds in small numbers in the marshes of the Sacra- 

 mento Valley, and Dr. Cooper found two nests at San Pedro on the 20th of July. These 

 were constructed chiefly of feathers, and one contained nine eggs. As a rule, however, 

 this species breeds in the more northern part^of the United States, especially about 

 the lakes of Minnesota, and beyond latitude 68° N. Mr. J. A. Allen met with a soli- 

 tary individual on the Platte River, in South l^irk, Colorado ; he afterward found 

 it very abundant in the valley of Salt Lake, Utah. It is also included by Mr. H. W. 

 Parker in his List of the Birds of Iowa, and given as occurring iu the counties of Polk 

 and Clinton. 



A female of this species was obtained in Bermuda in December, 1840. She was 

 kept in confinement, became quite tame, associated with the domesticated Ducks, and 

 laid quite a number of eggs. Although a persistent sitter, none of her eggs ever 

 hatched. 



According to the experience of Mr. Boardmun, this Duck is not uncommon in the 

 fall in the vicinity of Calais, j\Ie. It is occasionally found on the ponds and streams 

 of Massachusetts, but is rare, and of irregular appearance. 



Mr. Giraud considered it as quite rare on Long Island, where it was very shy, 

 seldom came to the decoys, and was very difficult of approach, unless the hunters 

 advanced under cover of reeds and rushes. At Egg Harbor, New Jersey, a few of 

 this species are seen every fall and spring, and are there known as the " Welch 

 Drake" and the "German Duck."' This Duck is said to be one of the most active 

 of its tribe, flying swiftly, and being an excellent diver. It is exceedingly timid, and 

 the superior quality of its flesh would seem to show that its food nuist be chieflj' 

 vegetable. 



Throughout Europe aud in all the countries of Northern Africa the Gadwall 

 appears to have a very general distribution, especially duxing its migrations. Mr. 

 Salvin mentions finding it common near Zara, in Northeastern Africa ; it was also 

 noticed in the Sahara by Mr. Tristram ; and Captain E. G. Shelley met with it iu 

 Egypt and Nubia — where, however, it was not abundant. The latter saw one small 

 flock of these birds near El-Kab on February 26, and obtained a single specimen. 



