490 



Mallard, with which it has formerly been confused. I may remark that the Gadwall was never 

 observed in flocks at Hjelsta-vik, but two or three pairs together, or more commonly in single 

 pairs. When the male leaves the sitting female, it is always found alone amongst the reeds. 

 The Gadwall is a very shy bird, especially in the spring when living in pairs ; and even when 

 followed by her small young ones, though less shy than at other times, the female takes far 

 better care of herself than does the Mallard." 



Meves, on his journey to Oland and Skane, observed several pairs at Hjelsta-vik, on the 

 20th of May, 1866, but could not procure one. On the 3rd of June he shot a male, and saw 

 from twenty to twenty-five pairs, and after considerable search succeeded in procuring both 

 females and young birds. 



I never met with the Gadwall in Finland, though it may occur in the south-eastern part of 

 that country ; for Meves saw one on the Ladoga canal on the 9th of June. He likewise informs 

 me that he saw a pair in the Archangel Museum, which were shot near that town. In a letter 

 received from Mr. Leonida Sabanaeff this gentleman informs me that " it is rare in the northern 

 part of Russia, as for instance in the Government of Jaroslaf. According to Severzoff it is met 

 with near St. Petersburg (during migration'?). In the Governments of Tamboff and Tula it 

 is rather a common species. In the eastern part of the Government of Perm I met with it up 

 to 57° N. lat. It is most numerous in South-eastern Russia; and, according to Kessler, it seldom 

 remains during the summer in South-western Russia. It inhabits large marshy localities where 

 rushes and reeds are found, and also affects small swampy banks of rivers. In the autumn, during 

 the evening and night, it flies about the fields. It nests in swamps, or along the banks of lakes 

 and rivers ; and I have found the nests to contain from eight to twelve eggs. This species is not 

 so frequently met with as A. boschas. It is never seen in great flocks during the spring and 

 autumn migrations in South-eastern Russia ; but Kessler states it is seen in great numbers in 

 South-western Russia during the spring migration. It seldom dives, flies very fast, making a 

 peculiar noise. They arrive in the district of Ekaterinburg and Moscow at the commencement of 

 April, breed in the latter part of April, and take their departure in the early part of October." 



My friend Mr. Taczanowski writes to me that this Duck is not common in Poland, where, 

 however, a few breed in the large marshes. During the autumn migration they are more 

 numerous than at any other season. Borggreve records it as the rarest of the true Ducks 

 occurring in North Germany. In Silesia, according to Gloger, it breeds on the large ponds in 

 considerable numbers. Formerly it bred abundantly, but now only occasionally, on the Conventer 

 Lake, in Mecklenburg. Von Negelein says that it breeds but rarely in Oldenburg ; and Baldamus 

 records it as nesting in Anhalt. Boeck procured one on the 26th of May, and Borggreve himself 

 shot a scarcely fledged bird in July, on the Lower Oder ; Dr. E. Rey informs me that it occurs 

 near Halle A. S., in the spring and autumn, and that he shot a female on the 11th of July, 1829, at 

 the Salzigen Lake, and found in her an egg ready for exclusion. In Denmark it is said to be not 

 uncommon in the autumn ; and Kjserbolling states that it breeds there. It winters in Holland ; 

 and Baron de Selys Longchamps writes that it is common in winter on the marshes of Belgium, 

 rarer in Campine, and accidental in the interior. It leaves for the north about the end of April. 

 Godron includes it in his list of the birds of Lorraine as rare, and met with only during migra- 

 tion ; and in France it is met with during migration in the northern departments, and throughout 



