THE GADWALL. 



Anas strepera, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 46. 



This elegantly shaped, dull coloured species, though locally abundant in some 

 favoured districts in winter, is otherwise a rather uncommon visitor to most parts 

 of the British Islands. In Norfolk, where a fair number breed every year, it was 

 originally established as a resident by the introduction of a pair of pinioned birds 

 about sixty years ago, and large numbers now visit this county during the winter. 

 It also breeds in Suffolk, and within the last few years has nested in southern 

 Scotland, also coming to the western islands, especially Tiree, in the cold season, 

 at which time it visits Ireland. 



The Gadwall is found generally throughout Europe, breeding as far north as 

 Iceland, while in winter many visit the basin of the Mediterranean and North 

 Africa. It has also a wide range over Asia as well as in America. 



The nest, built of dead grass and flags, is warmly lined with down and placed 

 on dry ground, sometimes near, sometimes at a distance from the water. The 

 eggs are buffish-white, and vary in number from eight to fourteen. 



Lt.-Commander J. G. Millais says {Natural History of British Sttrf ace-feeding 

 Ducks), "Although it will rest at sea by day, the Gadwall is even less a marine 

 bird than the Mallard, yet in most of its habits it closely resembles that species ; 

 and, though not naturally so cunning as the wild duck or the Wigeon, is much 

 more shy and retiring in its ways. It loves quiet and sheltered nooks, still waters 

 and sluggish streams, where it feeds on a vegetable diet composed chiefly of water- 

 plants, their seeds, and fresh-water molluscs. In summer it is very fond of insects, 

 and spends much time in catching flies and water-beetles ; but on the whole it is, 

 except in the courting season, the most undemonstrative of ducks. Floating 

 motionless in the shadows, or lying hidden in the reeds, the birds seldom attract 

 the attention of the passer-by unless flushed from their shelter, which they are 

 commonly loth to leave." 



Lord Lilford describes the call of the male Gadwall as "a sharp shrill 

 rattling note continually repeated, whilst the female responds with a ' quack ' 

 resembling that of the Wild Duck." 



When at a distance on the water, the females of the Gadwall and Mallard 

 look much alike, but the former may always be distinguished by the white 

 speculum on the wing. 



31 



