748 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
colony. It congregates, at particular seasons of the year, in vast 
numbers in certain well-known vleys, such as Vogel Vley (Bird Lake}, 
Verloren Vley (Lonely Lake), Bot River Mouth, &c., &c. In these 
places it sheds the wing-feathers and becomes unable to fly. It is 
then much sought after, being very fat; but it dives with such 
rapidity that even in this condition it is very difficult to kill. It 
breeds in the rushes in these vleys ; but in other places, such as the 
Keurboom River, in the Knysna division, it breeds in holes of rocks 
or hollow trees near the water, and is said to bring down its young 
on its back. The goslings dive as actively as their parents, which 
show much solicitude about them, keeping with them until they are 
fully grown; in fact, the little flocks in which they are generally 
found consist usually of an old pair and their brood, from ten to 
fifteen in number. ‘They are easily tamed, and a great ornament to 
- a poultry-yard; but sad plagues to the rest of the inhabitants, over 
which they domineer. They have a loud, harsh ery, which, however, 
sounds well amid the wild rocky scenes where they love to dwell. 
They are strong on the wing, and require a hard-hitting gun and a 
charge of buck-shot, well aimed, to bring them down. Their eggs 
are white, and small for the size of the bird, being: axis, 2” 2’; 
diam 772 
Mr. W. Atmore writes: “At the Zaurits River they breed on 
ledges of rocks 200 ft. above the level of the water in company with 
Vultur kolbii, and appear quite friendly with them.” 
Large flocks feed by day on the wet grass lands about the Berg 
River, always shifting their quarters as night came on, and retiring 
to sleep in other parts of the vley. Becoming acquainted with their 
line of flight, the Messrs. Kotze with ourselves laid in ambush for 
them and succeeded in cutting a wide lane through the flocks with a 
discharge of eight barrels. Next night they changed their line, but 
we had anticipated them, and again thinned their numbers: the 
third night they avoided that bit of country altogether, and fetched 
a tremendous circuit to reach their favourite roost. 
At Port Elizabeth Mr. Rickard says that he only saw tame 
individuals, and does not know whence they came. Capt. Trevelyan 
found the species rare near Kingwilliamstown. In Natal, observes 
Mr. Ayres: “these Geese feed on the land early in the morning and 
towards evening, and are fond of the seed-ears of grasses, which are 
abundant at certain seasons. During flight they sometimes utter a 
