304 



ANSERES. 



ANATID^. 



ANATID.E. 



-^#^■. 



Plectroptekus gambensis (Linnaeus*). 

 THE SPUR-WINGED GOOSE, 



OR GAMBO GOOSE. 



Anser gambensis. 



Plectroptekus, StepJiensf. — Bill nearly as long as tlie head, sub-cylindric, 

 obtuse, furnished with a fleshy tubercle at the base, the margins laminated. 

 Nostrils sub-basal. Wings rather long, armed with strong projecting spurs at 

 the bend. Tail rather short, rounded. Legs moderately long ; three anterior 

 toes rather long, united by a web ; hind toe free. 



This native of tropical Africa is known to have been kept 

 in confinement for upwards of two centuries, and Willughby, 

 who figures it in his ' Ornithology,' published in 16/8, says 

 that he took his description of this and the Canada Goose 

 from examples among the King's water-fowl in St. James's 

 Park. It has not been known to occur as a straggler in any 

 of the southern countries of Europe which are so much nearer 



* Anas gambensis, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 195 (1766). 

 t Sbaw's Gen. Zoology, xii. pt. i. p. fi (1824). 



