746 
ORDER ANSERES. 
Fam. ANATIDZ. 
720. PLECTROPTERUS GAMBENSIS, L. Spur-winged Goose. 
This is the largest of our Geese, and is easily distinguished by 
the strong spur on the end of its wing. Our descriptions are taken 
from a fine pair, male and female, brought by Mr. Chapman from 
the Zambesi. We have also received it from Mr. Arnot, who 
procured it in Mahura’s country. 
Mr. H. Bowker sent us eight eggs: “They were obtained near 
Maseru from an old ‘Hammer Kops’ nest (Scopus uwmbretta) on 
an overhanging rock on the banks of the Caledon River.” They 
resemble ivory in texture and creamy whiteness. Axis, 2” 9’’’; 
diam., 2”6’’’. Captain Trevelyan tells us that he met with a couple 
of specimens about Peelton, six miles from Kingwilliamstown, in 
1876, after some heavy rain. Majors Butler and Feilden and 
Captain Reid state that they found it “abundant in the Newcastle 
district all through one winter, and up to the time of our departure 
in November. Numbers were shot and eaten, the young birds 
especially being excellent. They breed, according to trustworthy 
informants, in the long grass at some distance from water, but we 
were too early for nests.” 
Mr. Buckley during his journey to the Matabele country obtained 
one specimen. He says that he often used to see birds which he 
supposed to be this species in the marshes of the Transvaal. From 
their colour they were very conspicuous, but very shy. In the last- 
named country, Mr. Ayres observes: “This is the commonest of 
our wild Geese, and is by no means capital eating, as the flesh is 
coarse and tasteless, and the young birds have scarcely any meat on 
them. Sometimes they are very shy, and at others almost absurdly 
tame; as a rule, it requires heavy shot to kill them. They come 
out early in the morning from the swamps and reeds to feed on 
grass-seeds, and are often seen on the farmer’s corn-lands: if 
