266 Mr. T. Ayres on Trans-Vaal Ornitholoyij. 



150. (L. G03.) Falcinellus igneus (Gmel.). Glossy Ibis. 

 These birds are scarce in this part of the country, and also 



vei-y shy and difficult to approach. They frequent swamps, 

 generally in pairs, and on being disturbed circle up to a great 

 height in the air, and then go right away to some other favourite 

 marsh. 



151. (L. 605.) Geronticus hagedasii (Vieill.). Ilagcdash 

 Ibis. 



This Ibis is very scarce in the Trans-Vaal, the specimen sent 

 was a solitary male, shot by me last December amongst the 

 thorn trees on the banks of the Vaal river. 



152. (L. 640.) Gallinula CHLOROPUs (Linn.). European 

 Water-Hen. 



The specimen sent was shot amongst the rushes on the banks 

 of the river, close to Potchefstroom. 



153. (L. 647.) Sarkidiornis africanus, Eyton. African 

 Black-backed Goose. 



This Goose I shot last summer at a lagoon on Loup-spruit, 

 about six miles from Potchefstroom. It is the only one I have 

 ever met with ; and I had great trouble to get it, as, after being 

 shot, it flew into the spruit, dived, and died on the opposite 

 bank. 



154. (L. 651.) Casarca cana (Gmel.), South-African 

 Shell-Duck. 



The three specimens sent were killed by my brother on a 

 lagoon in the Free State; but birds of t^-\ species also occur 

 on this side the Vaal, where I have seen tl '?Q^^-^^^^'^ never 

 been able to get at them. n^^^ 



[Both sexes of this species have an osseous j^rocuberance on 

 the carpal joint, like that in Chenalopex cegyptiacas, but covered 

 with feathers.— J. H. G.] 



155. (L. 659.) Nyroca brunnea, Eyton. South-African 

 Nyroca Duck. 



This species is to be found on the lagoon at Loup-spruit, 

 where a few years since it was plentiful, but has lately become 

 much more scarce. 



