196 GADWALL. 



They have bred, on several occasions, in the gardens of the London Zoological Society. 



In the adult male, the bill, which is two inches long, and in shape much like that 

 of the Common Duck, is of a brownish black. Irides, hazel. Head, and upper part of 

 neck, light brown, speckled closely with dark brown. The middle portion of the neck 

 of the same character, but with the ground colour rather more tawny. Lower neck 

 and breast, black; each feather with one or more narrow crescentic lines of white. On 

 the back the same colours prevail, but the white is arranged rather in transverse lines 

 than crescents. Bump and upper tail coverts, black ; tail pointed, the feathers brown, with 

 brownish white edges. Primaries, brownish black; the first feather having a white shaft. 

 Secondaries, the same colour, but the outer webs of two, white; which form the speculum; 

 tertials, long and pointed, a light brownish gray; the centres of the feathers of a darker 

 tinge. Greater wing coverts, rich black, with a slight reddish tinge; lesser coverts, a 

 fine chestnut; the coverts forming Avith the speculum three bars of white, black, and 

 chestnut. Lower part of breast and belly, a gray white. Feathers on sides, flanks, and 

 vent, nearly black; with numerous narrow ziz-zag lines of white across them. Under 

 tail coverts, black. Legs and feet, orange red; claws, black. 



The female has the head and neck pale brown, closely spotted with dark brown; crown 

 and nape, darker. On the neck and breast, the feathers are marked with two shades 

 of brown; the crescentic form less distinct than in the male. The upper parts, brown; 

 the feathers edged with very pale brown. Wings like the male, but the colours less 

 bright and clear. Tail, as in the male. Belly, impure white; flanks and sides, very 

 light brown, with broad bands and crescents of darker brown. Under tail coverts, a 

 mixture of brown and brownish white. 



In length it measures one foot eight inches. 



The descriptions are taken from the birds above mentioned, as belonging to F. P. 

 Morris, Esq. 



