LABILE. 365 



to refer without doubt to the winter plumage of the White- 

 winged Black Tern^ a species which has been met with in 

 Vaal by Mr. Ayres, as recorded in "^The Ibis^ [loc. cit.). — Ed.] 



421. RhynchopS flavirostris, Vieill. African Scissor-bill. 

 RliynehopsJIavi7-ostns, Vieillot's Gal. des Ois. pi. 291. 

 Rhynchops orientalis, Riippell's Atlas, pi. 24. 

 Rhynchops flavh-ostris, Shelley's Birds of Egypt, pi. 14. 



This species occurs in Ondonga and also at Lake 

 Ngami. 



The iris is dark brown ; the bill red, but yellowish at 

 the extremity ; the tarsus is also red. 



PELECANIDiE. 



422. Sola Capensis, Licht. South- African Gannet. 

 Sula capensis, Layard's Cat. No. 697. 

 Sula australis, Chapmau's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 424. 

 Sula capensis, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 11104. 



This is a very common bird on the south-west coast 

 of Africa, and is found far to the north of Walwich 

 Bay and from thence southward to the Cape of Good 

 Hope. 



Its flight is very powerful and continuous, and it also 

 presents a very pretty picture as it rides carefully on the 

 foaming and crested waves. It is a most expert diver, 

 and will precipitate itself from a considerable height 

 with fearful velocity in pursuit of its prey, which it 

 seizes under the surface, often at some depth. As it 

 comes sweeping down, its wings are extended and motion- 



