350 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Natal, to which place it doubtless wanders from the Zambezi, where it 

 is common. I found it also abundant in Madagascar, in the swamps 

 and rice-fields, and very easy of approach. The habit of perching on 

 trees resembles that of the allied D. Arcuata of India. 



Genus CASARKA, Pr. Bonap. 



Bill as long as the head, nearly straight, the width equal- 

 ling the height at the base, the anterior half depressed, and 

 scarcely curved upwards at the tip, which is armed with a 

 strong broad nail ; the basal part of the lateral margin 

 straight, and the apical part slightly curved upwards ; the 

 lamelloD of the upper mandible prominent below, the lateral 

 margins slender, and set rather widely apart ; the nostrils 

 suboval near the base and culmen ; wings moderate, with 

 the second quill the longest ; tail short and rounded ; tarsi 

 robust, shorter than tho middle toe ; toes long, and united by 

 a full web ; the hind toe long, elevated, and lobed. 



651. Oasarca Rutila, Paii., Hist. D'Egypt. Ois., t. 



10, f. 1; Anas Gasarca, Linn.; ^adorna Rutila, 

 Temm., Man. d'Orn. ; A nas Gana, Gmel. ; Latham's 

 Ind. Orn. ; A. Rubra, Gmel. ; Berg-Eendt of Colonists. 



General colour, rufous, inclining to yellow (fulvous) on the 

 chest and vent, and mottled with minute wavy black lines 

 on the back ; rump and lower part of back, very dark-grey ; 

 tail black, shining-green ; shoulder pure- white ; green patch 

 on the wing very large ; head and neck ash-coloured, with a 

 dark-rufous collar. Length, 2' 3"; wing, 15"; tail, 6|". 



This Goose is readily distinguished by its rufous colour and grey 

 head. It is rare in the colony, appearing' at odd times in diflferent 

 places. I am told it breeds among rocks, and, like the previous species, 

 conveys its young down to the water on its back. 



Genus MARECA, Stephens. 

 Bill shorter than the head, higher than broad at the base, 

 of equal breadth, but depressed, and much rounded at the 

 tip, which is armed with a strong broad nail ; the lamellae 

 of the upper mandible prominent, especially in the middle of 

 the lateral margins, slender, and rather widely set ; the 

 no&trils situated near the base and culmen, lateral, and oval ; 

 wings long and pointed, with the first and second quills the 

 longest ; tail moderate, wedge-shaped ; tarsi shorter than th'o 

 middle toe ; toe united bj^ a full web ; the hind toe moderate 

 and lobed. 



