(Anas strepera)
The gadwall was at one time quite plentiful on the shooting grounds of
California, south of San Francisco; but, on account of our season
opening later and closing earlier than in years past, few are killed
now. The gadwall is really a southern duck, coming into the United
States to breed. When the California season opened on the first of
September and closed the first of April, there were plenty of gadwall
found on its ponds in the early fall and late in the spring. Now, but
few are killed except in the southern part of the state. Such as are
killed are generally found on the mountain lakes and ponds of the
higher valleys. On the waters of Mexico and Lower California, however,
they are met with in good numbers.
The gadwall, however, migrates as far north as British Columbia for
breeding purposes as well as breeding on the mountain lakes of all the
territory through which it ranges.
=Color=--Male--Head, light brown, finely mottled with dark brown and
black; neck and breast, finely streaked with wavy black and white;
under parts, grayish white; rump and tail, black; speculum, black and
white, with the lesser wing-coverts chestnut; feet, orange, and bill
nearly white.
Female--Closely resembling the male but with very little chestnut on
the wings.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nest which is usually made a little way back
from the water is lined with dead grass, and contains from ten to
twelve eggs of a light buff color.
=Measurements=--Total length, about 19 inches; wing, 10, and bill,
1.60.
[Illustration: WIDGEON (Anas americana)]