618 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
olive-brown edgings to the feathers of the mantle, and wants the 
rufous tint on the breast and sides of neck, the former being a dirty 
white, the latter two shades of brown, the centres of the feathers 
being darker than the edges. Mr. Ayres has given the following 
notes on the birds in the flesh. 
Female (apparently adult), shot 24th November. Total length, 
6} in.; bill, %;; tarsus, 42; wing, 3; tail, 13; irides, ashy hazel ; 
bill dusky, under mandible pale; tarsi and feet dusky. 
Female (apparently immature), shot 4th October. Total length, 
61 in.; bill, 4; tarsus,1; wing, 3; tail, 14; bill pale dusky, darkest 
on the ridge; tarsi and feet dusky pink. 
Fig. Gurney, Ibis, 1877, pl. 7. 
596. Lmrnocorax nicer (Licht.). Black Crake. 
Not uncommon in yleys and among the sedges along the river 
banks. The Museum taxidermist, Mr. Butler, shot a fine specimen, 
from which the description was taken, close to Cape Town, in the 
Black River. In Natal, says Mr. Ayres, “ these birds much resemble 
the Jacanas, frequenting sedgy swamps and pools, walking with 
ease on the lilies and light weeds which grow on the surface of the 
water, in search of the softer snails, insects and seeds, on which 
they subsist. On being disturbed, they run immediately amongst 
the rushes, from which it is then almost impossible to dislodge them. 
They do not fly with such ease as the Jacanas; their habits appear 
to be solitary.” The same gentleman observes :—‘ These Gallinules 
are common along the Mooi River, and are exceedingly fond, on 
sunny days, of issuing from the reeds and hunting for insects on 
dead reeds across the stream ; they then look exceedingly pretty with 
their red legs, green bill, and chaste plumage.” Mr. Andersson’s 
notes on the species are as follows:—‘I have not unfrequently 
met with this species in Damara Land in suitable localities, such as 
Otjimbinque, Schmelin’s Hope, Omanbondé, &c.; and it is by no 
means uncommon on the rivers Okavango and Teoughe, and in the 
Lake-regions, though, from its exclusively shy habits and its 
partiality for dense reedy thickets, it is difficult to obtain. The 
surest way of procuring specimens is to lie in ambush near 
one of their favourite haunts; but even thus success is not always 
certain.” 
Mr. Monteiro states that it is common on the waters of Angola, 
