Mr. E. Newton*s Second Visit to Madagascar. 459 



The colours of the beak, frontal plate, and legs were exceedingly 

 bright when the bird was fresh. 



Iris red ; frontal plate pea-green ; beak and legs bright scarlet. 



77. Fulica cristata, Gmelin. 

 " Oetrikia." 



Mr. Caldwell obtained specimens of this species near the ca- 

 pital, where it is common. 



78. Phcenicopterus ? sp. indet. 



I was told by a trader of Foule Point that a Flamingo was 

 killed there some five years previously. 



79. Nettapus auritus (Boddaert). 

 " Voroncoua." 



I met with it at Fenerive. In the adult male the iris is dark 

 brown, bill bright yellow, nail black, feet black. In a younger 

 specimen the bill was only yellowish, and the hinder part of the 

 tarsi and outer edge of the outer toes the same. Unlike most 

 other Ducks, the trachea of the male in this species is of a very 

 simple form, there being scarcely any enlargement whatever at 

 the lower extremity. 



80. Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus). 

 " Tsiri-tsiri," on the coast. 



This is the only species of Duck I have seen wild in Mauritius ; 

 but here it has been undoubtedly introduced, large quantities 

 being brought over alive from Madagascar in nearly every bul- 

 lock-ship. In its habits, when kept in confinement, this and 

 D. arcuata are far more domestic than any other Ducks with 

 which I am acquainted. Long after their wings are grown (the 

 feathers having been pulled out), they will remain in the little 

 yards in which they have been confined, even though they be 

 in the middle of the town of Port Louis, — a very small pond, the 

 society of domestic Ducks and Geese, and, I presume, regular 

 meals being apparently sufficient causes to make them remain. 

 Occasionally they wiU take a short flight in the evening, but re- 

 turn before the next day. This practice they will continue for 

 months, and it is only the desire for a more quiet spot for nest- 

 ing that induces them to forsake their quarters. 



o , 



