154 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
haunting lonely pools and rush-grown lakes, where they arrive 
during the winter. Mr. Harting informs me that a few pairs 
stay on in spring, and in parts of Norfolk, where specially pro- 
tected, as on the meres about Thetford, they nest every year. 
They also breed in hundreds at the seat of the Duke of Bedford, 
flying from lake to lake undisturbed by sportsmen. The 
Gadwall at first sight resembles the female of the Mallard. a 
likeness which disappears when the observer is able to remark 
the white crescent bordering each feather of the neck and upper 
breast. It is strong and rapid in flight, feeding on vegetable 
matter, aquatic insects, and small fish. The drake undergoes a 
summer moult, when the small feathers are shed for the second 
time in the twelve months. It has been successfully bred by 
amateurs, among whom I may mention the late Mr. Samuel 
Woodwell Thomas, of Briton Ferry, who found these birds to 
be very prolific, laying from fourteen to sixteen eggs ; they have 
also reproduced in the Zoological Gardens during a succession 
of years. Their value is from tos. to 1gs. a pair. 
Male.—Upper parts dusky-brown, pencilled with white ; 
wing feathers grey and chestnut-red ; wing-bar black and white ; 
tail grey ; under parts white ; bill bluish-black ; feet dull orange 
yellow. 
Female.—Somewhat similar, with a light speck over 
the eye. 
Young. —The first plumage resembles that of the female, 
but without chestnut or black on the wings. 
Egg.—Ashy-green ; occasionally yellowish-buff; both 
ends rounded; eight to twelve in number. April—May. 
Incubation, about four weeks. 
Nest Down.—Small; similar to that of the Mallard; 
“white tips scarcely perceptible” (Seebohm). 
