fi'uin the colony of Natal in South-eastern Africa. 251 



The throat, sides of the neck, cheeks, and chin, which at other 

 seasons are white, then assume a dark lead- colour, which is sepa- 

 rated from the darker metallic tint on the back of the neck by a 

 narrow and somewhat irregular white line running backwards 

 from the eye down the whole length of the side of the neck. — 

 J. H. G.] 



60. Nettapus madagascariensis (Gm.). Madagascar Dwarf- 

 Goose. 



These birds are gregarious, frequenting the lakes and rivers 

 near the coast. 



61. Anas sparsa (Smith). White-spotted Duck. (Eyton, 

 Anatidse, p. 142 ; 111. S. Afr. Zool. pi. 97. Anas leucostigma, 

 RUppell, Syst. Ueb. tab. 48.) 



Eye very dark brown. We seldom find more than two of 

 these birds together ; they frequent the rocky streams in the in- 

 terior of the country, and are by no means plentiful ; they are 

 exceedingly shy and wary. In the moulting-season we have shot 

 them so denuded of feathers that they could not fly a yard, and 

 depended for their safety on diving and hiding under the banks, 

 at which they are very expert, and it is difficult to frighten them 

 from their hiding-place. 



[The sexes in this Duck appear, from the skins sent by Mr. 

 Ayres, to be similar in plumage ; but the male bird considerably 

 exceeds the female in size. — J. H. G.] 



62. P(ECiLONETTA EBYTHRORHYNCHA (Gm.). Crimsou-biUed 

 Duck. 



[Sent from Natal, but not by Mr. Ayres.— J. H. G.] 



63. Dendrocygna viduata (Linn.). White-masked Duck. 



Gregarious, frequenting the lakes and rivers near the coast. 



[It is well known that this Duck is found in the north- 

 eastern parts of South America, as well as in Africa. Specimens 

 from the two continents appear to me, on examination, to be 

 identical. — J. H. G.] 



64. Plotus LEVAiLLANTii (Temm.). Le Vaillant's Darter. 

 [Sent from Natal, but not by Mr. Ayres.— J. H. G.] 



