402 
ANATID.E. 
NA TA TORES. 
A NA TID/E. 
GADWALL. 
Anas strepera. 
PLATE CXIII. FIG. I. 
The nest of the Gadwall, which is very similar to that 
of the common wild duck, is built upon the ground in 
retired and marshy districts, amongst the rank aquatic 
herbage, and in the sedge and rushes which border in¬ 
land pools and meres. The eggs are from ten to twelve 
in number. The egg from which the drawing is copied 
was brought from Holland by Mr. Hoy, to whom I am 
indebted for specimens, together with the information 
just given. 
Mr. Proctor found a single nest of the Gadwall in 
Iceland, which was placed near the edge of fresh water 
amongst some reeds; it was composed of dry grass, and 
the eggs, which were five in number, were covered with 
down. Mr. Yarrell says that the ducks of this species, 
which breed in the Zoological Gardens, lay seven or eight 
eggs. 
