SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS. 211 



black next the tail, and the sides of the body finely 

 pencilled with dusky lines ; tail-feathers dark, edged 

 white; wings dark, with chestnut patch near shoul- 

 der ; then a black patch, then the white speculum ; 

 bill black ; legs and feet orange. Female : browner 

 generally, and mottled more coarsely. Resident and 

 winter migrant. 



Eggs. — 8-13, bufFy- white; 2-1 x 1-5 inches 

 (plate 131). 



Nest. — Of dry grass, lined with down, and placed 

 either near to or at some little distance from water. 



Distribution. — Uncommon save in Norfolk and a 

 few places in the Midlands ; in Scotland rare on the 

 eastern side, but more frequent on the western ; 

 Ireland, irregularly distributed, chiefly in the west 



Though breeding in Norfolk under protection, the 

 Gadwall is generally known as a rather rare winter 

 visitor to our islands. It associates in flocks, and 

 haunts for the most part fresh-water lakes, skulking 

 by day in the herbage, and feeding by night. It 

 is little seen on the coasts. The Gadwall's pointed 

 wings give it a rapid flight, more so than that of 

 the Mallard, which in its note and appearance it 

 resembles more nearly than any other Duck. Its 

 food consists chiefly of aquatic plants and weeds. 

 The characteristic markings of the Gadwall are the 

 chestnut and black wing-patches, the white speculum 

 both in the male and in the female, though reduced 

 in the latter. The male sufiers the usual summer 

 eclipse in its plumage, becoming at that time like the 

 female, but darker. 



2 h 



