304 
THE GADWALL. 
“differs in having the colours on the wings duller, though 
marked the same as the male; the breast reddish brown spotted 
with black; the feathers on the neck and back edged with pale 
red; rump the same instead of black; and those elegant semi- 
circular lines on the neck and breast wholly wanting.” 
The flesh of this duck is excellent, and the windpipe of the 
male is furnished with a large labyrinth. 
The Gad wall is very rare in the northern parts of the United 
States; is said to inhabit England in winter, and various parts 
of France and Italy; migrates to Sweden, and is found through- 
out Russia and Siberia. * 
It is a very quick diver, so as to make it difficult to be shot; 
flies also with great rapidity, and utters a note not unlike that 
of the Mallard, but louder. Is fond of salines and ponds over- 
grown with reeds and rushes. Feeds during the day, as well as 
in the morning and evening. 
Note. A male specimen shot by Mr. Ord in East Florida, in 
the month of February, had its crownof a pale ferruginous, mixed 
with brown; head and neck yellowish white, barred and mottled 
with brown; back, outer scapulars, vent and flanks, brown, with 
pale zigzag lines; some of the inner scapulars reddish and cine- 
reous brown; upper and under tail-coverts velvet black; legs 
and feet yellow ochre, part of the webs dusky. Weight two 
pounds. 
This species is very rare on the Delaware; but in East Flo- 
rida it is common. On the fresh water ponds, in the vicinity of 
the river St. John, Mr. Ord shot many of them; and found them 
in good condition, and excellent eating. 
’ Latham. 
