ANATID^, 347 



647. Sarkidiornis Africana, Eyton, Monogr. 



Anat., p. 103. 

 Upper parts, black-brown, shining-coppery on the back, and 

 brilliant- green on the wing ; rump brownish-grey ; under 

 parts whitish ; flanks grey ; head and neck white, covered 

 with black spots, which form a broadish line from the top of 

 the head, down the back of the neck. The male, in the 

 breeding season, has a large elevated flattened black caruncle 

 extending down the centre of the upper mandible. Length, 

 24"; wing, 15"; tail, 7". 



This Goose may be at once recognised in tlie breeding season by 

 the curious flattened knob on the bill. I have received it from Mr. 

 Arnot, and Mr. Chapman, who tells me it is common on the rivers 

 to the North. 



Genus CHENALOPEX, Stephens. 

 Bill rather short, strong, with the base much elevated, and 

 the culmen gradually sloping to the tip, which is armed with 

 a broad strong nail ; the nostrils large, rather rounded, and 

 placed near the middle and culmen ; wings long, with the 

 second and third quills nearly equal and longest ; the bend 

 of the wings armed with a blunt spur; tail moderate, and 

 slightly rounded ; tarsi longer than the middle toe, and 

 covered with sub-quadrate scales ; toe moderate, the anterior 

 ones united by a full web ; the hind toe long, elevated, and 

 slightly lobed. 



648. Chenalopex -ffigyptiacus. (Linn.) pi. 



Enl., 379; Shaw, Vol. 12; Anas Montana, Lath.; 

 Anser Varius,. Schn. ; " Berg-Gans," or Mountain- 

 Goose of Colonists. 



Upper parts, ruddy- grey ; between the shoulders, finely 

 variegated with black, deepening into pure black on the 

 rump, and brick-red on the wings ; on the closed wing, a 

 broad white patch commences at the shoulder, and extends 

 half-way, when it is met by a bi'illiant green patch ; near 

 this junction the white is interrupted by a narrow black line, 

 which extends across the white ; under parts ruddy- grey, 

 finely mottled ; the centre of the belly least so ; in the mid- 

 dle of the posterior part of the breast is a patch of deep rufous ; 

 top of the head, chin, and cheeks, dirty- white ; base of the bill, 

 a patch round the eye, back of the neck, and ring round the 

 lower part, ruddy. Length, 28" ; wing, 16" ; tail, 5". 



This is the commonest of our Geese, and is found in considerable 

 abundance throughout the colony. It congregates, at particular 



