of the hamilton association. 73 



Subgenus CHAULELASMUS Bonaparte, 

 36. ANAS STREPERA Linn. 135. 

 6ad\v^all. 



Male with most of the plumage barred or half-ringed with black and 

 white or whitish; middle coverts chestnut, greater coverts black, speculum white; 

 female known by these wing marks. Length, 19-22 ; wing, lo-ii. 



Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan, In North America breeds chiefly within 

 the United States. 



Nest usually on the ground, sometimes in trees. Eggs, buff Qr dull cream 

 color. 



The Gadwall is rare throughout Ontario ; when a large mix- 

 ed lot of ducks is sent down in the fall from any of the shooting 

 stations in the west, one pair or two may sometimes be picked 

 out, but that is all. 



The pair in my collection were shot in Hamilton Bay many 

 years ago, since that time I have not heard of any being obtained 

 there. It seems rather a tender species, and does not go as far 

 north as some others. It is common to both continents, but it is 

 nowhere abundant. 



Subgenus MARECA Stephens, 



37. ANAS AMERICANA Gmel. 137. 



Baldpate. 



Bill and feet grayish-blue, top of head white, or nearly so, plain or speck- 

 led, its sides and the neck more or less speckled ; abroad green patch on sides 

 of head ; fore breast light-brownish ; belly pure white ; crissum abruptly 

 black, middle and greater coverts white, the latter black-tipped ; speculum 

 green, black bordered ; length, 20-22 ; wing, 11 ; tail, 5 ; tarsus, 2; bill, ij-ij : 

 female known by the wing markings. 



Hab. North America, from the Arctic Ocean south to Guatemala and 

 Cuba. 



Eggs, eight to twelve, pale buff. 



Resembles the preceding in appearance, but can always be 

 distinguished by the creamy white crown which has suggested 

 for the species the familiar name of " Baldpate." It is also more 

 abundant, being often seen in flocks of fifty to one hundred during 



