District of Matatiele, East Gri(juala}id. 25 



7. Pelecanus ROSEUS, Gm. Eastern White Pelican. 

 Hare. Two specimens were shot on a large pan on the 



farm " Golden Fleece '^ — one in December 1906, and one in 

 January 1910. On the latter occasion two birds were "seen. 

 All these w^ere inin)ature birds in the brownish plumao-e. 



8. Erismatuka maccoa (A. Sm.). Maccoa Duck. 



Not common, but I think resident, as I have met with a 

 few at all times of the year. I have never been able to 

 discover a nest, but a female shot on 9. 3. 10 contained a 

 shelled egg, ready for laying. The egg, which was unfor- 

 .tunately broken beyond repair, was very large for the size of 

 the bird, and of a pale bluish-green colour, the shell rather 

 chalky in texture. When alarmed this species sinks the 

 body until little more than the head and tail appear above 

 the surface ; but when swimming at ease the bird floats with 

 the body well out of the water, like other ducks. When 

 alarmed the tail is cocked up and inclined forwards, so as to 

 almost touch the head, which is thrown backwards. 



9. Thalassornis leuconotus, Eyt. White-backed Duck. 

 Common on most of the larger vleys. This curious little 



duck usually swims rather deep, the tail flush with the water; 

 it has a curious piping note, usually uttered when flying. 

 On the 17. 4. 10, I found a nest containing eight eggs ; the 

 nest, which was rather a deep cup woven of reeds, placed in 

 a clump of the same in about 3 feet of water. I have some- 

 times seen the females accompanied by four or five j^ouno- 

 the latter appearing very dark brown in colour, all of them 

 diving at intervals and remaining quite a long time under 

 water. They are usually very tame, and when shooting I have 

 often had occasion to approach quite close before thev would 

 rise and make off. 



10. Nyroca capensis, [Cuv.] Less, S. African Pochard. 

 Fairly common during the summer months, very few 



remaining over the winter. They usually occur in small 

 flocks. The note is a grating " kerr kerr,'' usually uttered 

 during flight. I found a nest on the 19. 4. 10, containing 



