GADWALL. 
131 
The female I have never seen. Latham describes it as fol- 
lows : “ differs in having the colors 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 Gadwall 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 throughout 
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 fresh water ponds overgrown 
with reeds and rushes. Feeds during the day, as well as in the 
morning and evening. 
A male specimen which the Editor shot in East Florida, in the 
month of February, had its crown of 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 viiia- 
ceous brown ; upper and under tail-coverts velvet black ; legs and 
feet yelloiv 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, the Editor shot many of them ; and found them in 
good condition, and excellent eating. 
Latham. 
