i l
Genus CHAULIODES.
G e n . C har. Bill as sh o rt as th e head, depressed th ro u g h o u t its len g th , as b ro ad as hig h a t
th e base, ra th e r n a rrow in g towards th e tip , wh ich has a small dertrvm o r nail-, bo th
mandibles laminated, th e laminae o f th e u p p e r one pro jectin g b ey o n d th e margins o f th e
bill. Nostrils lateral, n e a r th e base o f th e b ill, oval an d pervious. Wings lo n g and
acuminate. Tail wedge-shaped. Feet w ith fo u r toes, th re e before and one b e h in d ; the
h in d toe small and free.
G A DWA L L .
Anas streperà, Linn.
Chauliodes streperà, Swains.
Le Canard chipeau.
T hough the colours of this elegant Duck are more sober than those of most of the family, it yields to none
in the tasteful disposition of its markings, and to few in the excellence of its flesh for the table. The
European species to which it is nearest allied is the Common Widgeon (Anas Penelope), and we can scarcely
see the necessity of creating a new genus for its reception from which the Widgeon is excluded : we have,
however, given Mr. Swainson’s generic characters, leaving it to the option of our readers whether to accept
or reject them.
Although the Gadwall does not visit us in great numbers, it is tolerably common during the months of
spring. The low marshes and fenny districts, Holland, and the whole of the northern portions of Europe, are
the situations in which it most abounds. In its habits and manners it closely resembles the Widgeon, with
which it is often seen associated. We have received specimens from the Himalayan mountains which are
identical with our European species.
The deficiency of brilliant colours in the male renders him but little more ornamented in his plumage than
the female, the external difference between them being less than is usually met with ; but the bird of the
first year presents a considerable difference, as our Plate illustrates.
Like the common Wild Duck, this bird breeds in reed beds and similar places, laying eight or nine eggs,
of a pale green. -
The adult male has the head and the upper part of the neck dull brown, thickly marked with dirty white ;
the back, scapulars and sides ornamented with narrow zigzag lines of black and white ; the middle wing-
coverts chestnut, with a dash of brown in the centre ; the rump and under tail-coverts blueish black ; the
shoulders chestnut, succeeded by blueish black, and a white speculum ; the feathers of the chest scale-like,
having a dusky black centre, with crescent-shaped edges ; the abdomen white ; the beak black, and the
tarsi orange.
The young bird of the year is of a uniform rusty brown above, each feather having a central mark of dusky
black, the under surface being white.
We have figured an adult male, and a bird of the first year, three fourths of the natural size.