174 Messrs. S. Roch and E. Newton on Birds 



on forehead red ; a dark patch on the side of the former ; legs 

 reddish flesh-colour." — S. R. 



68. Gallinula pyrrhorrhoa, A. Newton, P.Z.S., 1861, 

 pp. 18, 19. G.chloropus, Hartl. (non Linn.), p. 81. 



Not uncommon in the neighbourhood of Tamatave. It is 

 possible that this species may have been introduced into Mauri- 

 tius from Madagascar. 



69. Nettapus AURiTus (Boddaert), Hartl. p. 82. 



This pretty little Duck is very numerous on the lakes near the 

 coast, and affords both excellent sport and an excellent second 

 course. They are generally wild, but sometimes allow a canoe to 

 approach within gun-shot. They sit low in the water, like the 

 true Diving Ducks. Upon being disturbed, they fly with great 

 rapidity. On one occasion a pair were observed sitting on a low 

 tree overhanging the water. If wounded, they are difficult to 

 pick up, from their expertness in diving. 



70. Anas XANTHORHYNCHA, Forster. ^.^amVos/m, A. Smithy 

 111. S. Afr. Zool. pi. 96. " Rahak." 



The only specimen preserved was brought to Dr. Roch at 

 Tamatave. We afterwards saw the species up the country, at 

 Ampasimpotsi, about seventy-four miles from the coast. 



71. Dafila erythrorhyncha (Gmelin), Hartl, p. 82. 



" I shot three specimens of this species at Nossi-be, where 

 they were seen hovering over the rice-fields in tolerable numbers. 

 Their flight was much more rapid than that even of Nettapus 

 auritus. I think I also saw them on the great plain near 

 Mooramanga." — S. R. 



72. Dendrocygna viduata (Linn.), Hartl. p. 83. "Thar- 

 kika," "Churu-ru." 



Found from the coast to the. great plain near Ambohitroni, 

 sometimes in large flocks of from twenty to sixty. They were 

 very tame, and easily shot. 



" The latter of the above two native names, by which this 

 bird is more generally known, is probably taken from its note. 

 On shooting one of a pair, the survivor would commonly return 



