Object Status:
Extant
Accession Date:
By 1799
Primary Source Reference:
Charles Willson Peale, Lecture on Natural History 22. (ca. 1799). Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40. / https://ansp.org/research/library/archives/0000-0099/coll0040/
Additional Source Text:
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) wrote, in his 22nd Lecture (ca. 1799): "532. Gadwall Duck with a black flat bill; head and upper part of the neck of a rusty colour spotted with black; throat lighter; breast & upper part of the back beautifully scalloped with white lines; coverts of the wings reddish brown; with a border of black; primaries dusky; speculum white. The under part of the body white of a dingy hue; tail above and below black, with white edges on the quills. Anas Strepera Linn. Gadwall Pennant p. 575. I. Latham No. 61. Chipeau Buff. pl. enl. 958. 533. The Female is much lighter but marked the same, except the parts round the tail are quite light, and as red on the wings." (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40)
Peale continued: "This species of bird Pennant says does not seem to advance higher in Europe than Sweden. In the Russian empire extends over most of the latitudes of the European and Sibirian part, except the east of Sibiria, and Kamtschatka. Latham says, It is a very quick diver, so as to make it difficult to be shot. Feeds morning and evening only; being hid among the reeds and Rushes during the day. The noise it makes is not unlike that of the mallard, but louder. The flesh is good. None of the Authors mention it as belonging to America but they are not so frequently found with us as the Mallard." An undated scrap of paper tucked into Peale's 21st lecture manuscript contains a scribbled list of duck specimens, including: "Gadwall D. (strepera)" (ANSP Archives, coll. 40).
Peale wrote, in "A Walk Through the Philad[elphi]a Museum" (1805–1806): "Authors have not noted that the Gadwol Duck (a. strepera) belongs to America. It is found in our markets, but not so common as the Mallard" (Historical Society of Pennsylvania, coll. 0481).
Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) described this species under the name "The Gadwall / Anas strepera" in American Ornithology vol. 8, published posthumously (Pl. 71), where "Peale's Museum, No. 2750" was cited (Wilson 1814: 120). / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175758#page/140/mode/1up (text) / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175758#page/141/mode/1up (plate)
Specimen Type:
Dead/preserved
Current Common Name:
Gadwall
Current Scientific Name
Anatidae | Mareca strepera
