WILD DUCK-GADIVALL. 
227 
Some idea of the number of wild duck nesting on our 
private waters may be gathered from the fact that the 
head-keeper at Avington told Dr. Bowdler Sharpe ^ that 
no less than forty sitting birds were taken off their nests 
there by foxes in one season. 
Mr. Meade-Waldo also considers that it has increased 
largely as a breeding-species, owing to careful preservation. 
In the Isle of Wight it is not so common during the 
nesting season as on the mainland ; but Dr. Cowper says 
that it breeds freely in Brading Marsh, and Mr. Poole, of 
Shanklin, informs us that a few pairs nest between that 
place and Blackgang. 
Genus — Chaulelasmus. 
172. Chaulelasmus strepertts. Gadwall. 
A rather scarce winter visitor. 
In the Hart collection are specimens procured on 
January 8th, 1875, and February 12th, 1889, from the 
district. 
In the Heron Court collection are two specimens, one 
killed in February, 1827, and the other, a female, killed by 
Lord Malmesbury on the Stour, December 28th, 1890. 
Two were shot in Langstone Harbour in January, 1879.2 
Three were observed at Laverstoke from December, 
1893, to March, 1894. 
One was shot at Leckford, near Stockbridge, by Mr. 
G. Miles-Bailey on January 2nd, 1904. 
' " Lloyd's Natural History." 
^ M. Dexter. Field," January 25th. 1879. 
