104 Mr. C. G. Da vies on the WUdfoid and 



13. Platalea alba. African Spoonbill. 



Scarce. Two specimens were shot on 8. 1. 99. These 

 were probably immature birds, as they had the naked skin of 

 the face more restricted than in adults ; they had no crests, 

 and the legs and feet were black with a pink band just below 

 the leathers of the thigh. They were feeding in company 

 with lUs cethiopica, and stepping along quickly in shallow 

 water, moving the bill rapidly from side to side. 



14. Plectroptekus ]s'iGEn. Black Spurwing Goose. 

 Not uncommon. All the specimens shot w^ere apparently 



referable to this species, as they showed very little white on 

 the face or breast. A large adult c? shot on 1. 7. 98 only 

 had a few flecks of white on the face and a small patch on 

 the lower breast. They used to occur in flocks, haunting the 

 vleis during the daytime, and going out to feed on the native 

 laud in the early morning and evening. 



15. Dendrocycna viduata. White-faced Duck. 



Very rare. Two specimens of this Duck were shot by 

 Mr. Gould, and forwarded to the Albany Museum in July 

 1905. Dr. Duerden has kindly allowed me to examine these 

 specimens ; they are both adults in good plumage, and agree 

 well with measurements in Stark and Sclater. They were not 

 sexed, and there is nothing to show to what sex they belong, 

 as their measurements are exactly the same, the only differ- 

 ence being that in one specimen the white on the crown 

 extends further back than in the other ; this specimen also 

 has the white patch on the centre of the neck joined to that 

 of the face by a narrow line of scattered white feathers. 

 This is, as far as I know, the first noted occurrence of this 

 species in Cape Colony. 



16. Casarca cana. S. African Shelduck. 

 Scarce. A pair were seen but not secured. 



17. Anas undulata. Yellow-billed Duck. 

 Very common. 



18. Anas sparsa. Black Duck. 

 Scarce. Only found on the streams. 



