CHENALOPEX GYPTIACA. 749 
loud chattering note. They are mostly found in pairs, but some- 
times a whole flock may be met with. This species also occurs in 
the Transvaal.” In the Newcastle district it was not seen till the 
6th of October, when Major Butler observed several in “‘ Spoonbill 
Vley.” It was reported to be extremely abundant in a large vley 
just over the Free State side of the Drakensberg to the west of New- 
castle, called ‘“‘ Seekoe Vley.” During his journey to Matabele Land 
Mr. Buckley says it was “seen in pairs on the banks of the Limpopo. 
They are very wary, and begin to sound the note of alarm long before 
one can see them ; one which we obtained was shot from a nest in a 
tree, where it was doubtless sitting on its eggs.” It was seen but 
not procured in Mashoona Land by Mr. Jameson’s expedition. Sir 
John Kirk states that it frequents the Zambesi and the Shiré Rivers, 
breeding during January on the coast and inland on theislands. It 
was always solitary or in pairs, never in flocks. 
According to Mr. Andersson “ This is the most common species 
of Goose on the waters of Damara and Great Namaqua Land, where 
it remains throughout the year, and is invariably found either in pairs 
or in small flocks. During the daytime it is not unfrequently to be 
seen at some distance from the water. When on the wing it utters 
a kind of barking quack.” 
Senor Anchieta’s specimens are from the Coroca River on the 
coast of Mossamedes, and from Humbe on the Cunene River. 
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 brilliant 
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 middle 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”. 
The soft parts are given by Mr. Ayres as follows : Male and Female. 
Tris dark yellow ; bill pink, with tip, margins, and base black ; tarsi 
and feet pink. 
Fig. Daubent, Pl. Enl. 379. 
