168 Messrs, S. Roch andlEi. Newton on Birds 



47. (Ena capensis (Linn.), Hartl. p. 67. 



The only specimen obtained was killed at Tranomaro, on the 

 coast, on the 2nd of November ; another one was with it at the 

 time. The species was not observed elsewhere. 



48. NuMiDATiABATA, Bonaparte; Hartl. p. 68. "Akonga." 

 Pretty generally distributed over the country up to Beforona, 



but commoner along the coast-line, where they are found in the 

 early morning feeding amongst the ferns and brushwood on the 

 outskirts of the forests. 



" At Foule Point, in November, four eggs of this species were 

 brought to me. They resemble highly-coloured examples of 

 those of the domestic Guinea Fowl ; long diameter 2'1 inch, 

 transverse diameter 1'52 inch. In that neighbourhood the 

 species is very common, and I saw several coveys between there 

 and Nossi-be. The natives often hunt them with dogs ; and I 

 was told that the birds, endeavouring to conceal themselves from 

 the latter, will allow themselves to be taken in the hand, rather 

 than fly or run into the open. When " treed," they will re- 

 main with their long necks stretched out in stupid astonish- 

 ment as long as the dogs continue yelping underneath, paying 

 no regard to their dangerous pursuers, and thus affording an 

 easy shot to the native sportsman. The flavour of their flesh 

 alters considerably with the food they have been eating." — S. R. 



49. Margaroperdix striata (Gmelin), Hartl. p. 69. "Trou- 

 trou." 



Seen from the coast up to Ambodinagavo. 



" I found them, in November, common within a short dis- 

 tance of the sea, from Tamatave to Foule Point. At that time 

 they were in pairs, and exceedingly tame. One pair, that a 

 native fired at with my gun, flew but a short distance, and ran 

 across an open space in full sight. The man had to take me 

 over a river on his back to shoot them, when I found a broken 

 egg in the hen bird. Iris black ; bill bluish at base, with black 

 tip; legs speckled, bluish olive." — S. R. 



50. TuRNix NiGRicoLLis (Gmelin), Hartl. p. 70. "Kiboo." 

 Seen from Boiboahazo up to Ankera-Madinika, the first vil- 

 lage of the Hovah country that we passed. They were not 



