508 
LA MELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 
migrations to the north wholly to the eastward of Slave Lake. He was unable to 
detect it in either the Yukon or Mackenzie Legion. If occurring at all, even at Slave 
Lake, he believes he should at least have heard of it from the Indians, for, unobser- 
vant as they are of the smaller birds, they pay attention to anything that affords them 
food, and the Opippewayans of Slave Lake shoot large numbers of Ducks. The Gad- 
wall is not, so far as he knew, an abundant species in any part of North America, 
though it is not uncommon in October in Northern Illinois ; and Richardson mentions 
it as common in summer on the Saskatchewan. Mr. Merrill found it breeding at 
Anticosti, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Dr. Suckley observed it in summer in Min- 
nesota, and Captain Bendire found it breeding in Eastern Oregon. 
According to Mr. Dali, a single specimen was procured in British Columbia by Mr. 
Elliott, and he believes that its range extends as far as the vicinity of Sitka. 
This species is included by Mr. R. Browne among the birds of Vancouver Island ; 
and it was found on the Pacific coast of Mexico by Colonel Grayson, who speaks of 
it as being abundant from November until late in the spring in the neighborhood of 
Mazatlan. According to Dr. Cooper, it is also common in the winter throughout 
California, in company with other fresh-water Ducks, and sometimes in distinct 
flocks. This Duck is said to be generally shy and quiet, feeding mostly in the twi- 
light, and hiding much of the time among the reeds and bushes. It has, however, 
considerable power of voice, and in the spring is at times quite noisy. 
Dr. Heermann states that it breeds in small numbers in the marshes of the Sacra- 
mento Valley, and Dr. Cooper found two nests at San Pedro on the 20th of July. These 
were constructed chiefly of feathers, and one contained nine eggs. As a rule, however, 
this species breeds in the more northern parts of the United States, especially about 
the lakes of Minnesota, and beyond latitude 68° N. Mr. J. A. Allen met with a soli- 
tary individual on the Platte River, in South Park, Colorado ; he afterward found 
it very abundant in the valley of Salt Labe, Utah. It is also included by Mr. H. W. 
Parker in his List of the Birds of Iowa, and given as occurring in the counties of Polk 
and Clinton. 
A female of this species was obtained in Bermuda in December, 1849. She was 
kept in confinement, became quite tame, associated with the domesticated Ducks, and 
laid quite a number of eggs. Although a persistent sitter, none of her eggs ever 
hatched. 
According to the experience of Mr. Boardman, this Duck is not uncommon in the 
fall in the vicinity of Calais, Me. It is occasionally found on the ponds and streams 
of Massachusetts, but is rare, and of irregular appearance. 
Mr. Giraud considered it as quite rare on Long Island, where it Avas very shy, 
seldom came to the decoys, and was very difficult of approach, unless the hunters 
advanced under cover of reeds and rushes. At Egg Harbor, New Jersey, a few of 
this species are seen every fall and spring, and are there known as the “Welch 
Drake ” and the “ German Duck.” This Duck is said to be one of the most active 
of its tribe, flying swiftly, and being an excellent diver. It is exceedingly timid, and 
the superior quality of its flesh would seem to show that its food must be chief!}'’ 
vegetable. 
Throughout Europe and in all the countries of Northern Africa the Gadwall 
appears to have a very general distribution, especially during its migrations. Mr. 
Salvin mentions finding it common near Zara, in Northeastern Africa ; it was also 
noticed in the Sahara by Mr. Tristram ; and Captain E. G. Shelley met with it in 
Egypt and Nubia — where, however, it was not abundant. The latter saw one small 
flock of these birds near El-Ivab on February 26, and obtained a single specimen. 
