PLECTROPTERIN^. 785 



The Spur-winged Geese are found in the hot regions of Africa 

 and India, where tliey are permanent residents. 



950. Sarkidiornis melanonotus, Pennant. 



Anser apud Pennant, Ind. ZooL, pi. 11 — Blyth, Cat. 1763 — 

 Sykes, Cat. 213— Jerdon Cat. 379— PL Enl. 9^7—Niika, H. 

 and Malir. — Jutu chilluioa, Tel. — Comb-duck of Sportsmen in 

 Madras and Bombay. 



The Black-backed Goose. 



Descr. — Head and neck white, spotted with glossy black, 

 tbe top of the head and back of the neck mostly black ; 

 interscapulars and scapulars, black glossed with purple ; back 

 ashy-grey, becoming dusky on the rump ; the upper tail-coverts 

 glossy green ; wing-coverts glossed green; quills black ; tail black ; 

 all the lower parts pure white ; bill and protuberance black ; irides 

 dark brown ; legs greenish plumbeous. 



Male — Length 30 to 34 inches ; wing 16 ; tail 6 ; bill at front 2^ ; 

 height of protuberance 2 ; tarsus nearly 3 ; mid-toe and claw 3j. 

 Weight 6 lbs. 



The female is much smaller, less brightly colored, more spotted 

 on the neck, and she wants the fleshy boss at the base of the bill. 

 Length about 26 inches ; wing 12 to 14. 



This Goose is very common in Central and Western India, less 

 so in the extreme south, and is very rare in Lower Bengal. It is 

 generally seen in small parties from four to ten, but occasionally 

 in flocks of above a hundred: it chiefly frequents grassy tanks, 

 and is not unfrequently seen in paddy fields. During the rains, 

 it wanders about a good deal, and may often be seen feeding in 

 very small tanks, or even in temporary pools of water. It breeds 

 in this country in July or August, in grass by the sides of tanks, 

 laying six to eight whitish eggs. 



It is not a particularly w^ary bird, and may generally be 

 approached tolerably closely. Its flight is not very rapid. This 

 Goose is not held in very high esteem for the table, but at some 

 seasons is most excellent, and the young birds are especially 



PART II. G 



