336 Br. J. Kirk on the Birds of the Zambesi Region. 



with the rains, in flocks of ten or twelve, and remain to breed 

 in the marshes. Their favourite food is the " Nyka," or tu- 

 berous enlargement of the bud of the Nymphcea, which they 

 swallow. They perch on trees, and seem occasionally to roost. 

 In the daytime they often settle on the trees near their feeding- 

 ground. 



139. Chenalopex ^gyptiacus. Native name, "Nango.'' 

 Frequents the Zambesi and Shire ; breeding during January 



at the coast, and inland on the islands. Either solitary or in 

 pairs, never in flocks. This is the worst of all the Duck-kind 

 for the table, being in many cases quite uneatable. 



140. Nettapus auritus. Native name, " Sequiri." 



This beautiful bird is confined to lagoons near the rivers and 

 lakes, being very seldom to be seen on the main waters. It occurs 

 in pairs, and in flocks of eight or ten. When disturbed, it flies 

 along the water, following all its windings, never crossing the 

 country. Its habits are entirely aquatic. It dives, and remains 

 long under the surface, and is very difficult to obtain when 

 wounded, getting entangled in the weeds at the bottom. 



141. Dendrocygna personata. Native name, " Soriri.'' 

 In all marshy lands very abundant ; large flocks arriving with 



the rains in November and December, but never entirely desert- 

 ing the region. It breeds in the marshes and on islands. The 

 favourite food is the seed of the Nymphcea. During the night 

 the various flocks pass to and fro, uttering a frequently repeated 

 clear whistling note. The flesh is particularly fine; and sitting 

 in dense masses on the mud-banks, they may be had in great 

 numbers from a canoe while passing the marshy regions, in 

 which large game is difficult to procure. 



142. Anas sparsa. Smith. Native name, " Tunta.^' 



This is a bird nowhere very common, but widely distributed. 

 It occurs in single pairs. The first appearance is with the 

 rains, and it remains to breed. After the end of April it is not 

 seen. The young may be obtained in March. 



