may mention that Mr. Saunders's statement has been 

 personally confirmed to me by Lord Walsingham, whose 

 meres in the neighbourhood of Merton are certainly 

 now the headquarters of this bird in England. In 

 other parts of our islands the species is not abundant, 

 more so in certain islands of the Hebridean group and 

 in Ireland than elsewhere. 



In general habits this species much resembles the 

 common Wild Duck, but is not so wary as that bird, 

 and from its predilection for thick covert is compara- 

 tively easy of approach. I have found it in all suit- 

 able localities of the Mediterranean countries that I 

 have visited, and have received nests and eggs from 

 Andalucia. In my experience the Gadwall seldom 

 visits the salt water, preferring small pools and lakes 

 surrounded with reeds and other marsh vegetation. 



The note of the male is a curious rattling croak, a 

 sort of mixture of the alarm cry of the Mallard and 

 the sound uttered by the male Garganey; but on the 

 whole the present is a quiet bird. I seldom observed 

 it in large numbers together. A good many Gadwalls 

 are sent alive from the Dutch decoys to the London 

 market in the early part of the year : these birds, when 

 pinioned, thrive admirably well in semi-captivity and 

 become exceedingly tame. The flesh of the Gadwall 

 is, in my opinion, most excellent. 



