may mention that Mr. Saunders’s statement has been
personally confirmed to me by Lord Walsingham, whose
meres in the neighbourhood of Merton are certainly
now the headquarters of this bird in England. In
other parts of our islands the species is not abundant,
more so in certain islands of the Hebridean group and
in Ireland than elsewhere.
In general habits this species much resembles the
common Wild Duck, but is not so wary as that bird,
and from its predilection for thick covert is comparatively
easy of approach. I have found it in all suitable
localities of the Mediterranean countries that I
have visited, and have received nests and eggs from
Andalucia. In my experience the Gadwall seldom
visits the salt water, preferring small pools and lakes
surrounded with reeds and other marsh vegetation.
The note of the male is a curious rattling croak, a
sort of mixture of the alarm cry of the Mallard and
the sound uttered by the male Garganey; but on the
whole the present is a quiet bird. I seldom observed
it in large numbers together. A good many Gadwalls
are sent alive from the Dutch decoys to the London
market in the early part of the year : these birds, when
pinioned, thrive admirably well in semi-captivity and
become exceedingly tame. The flesh of the Gadwall
is, in my opinion, most excellent.