756 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
build, amongst the high rushes, a substantial nest of dry flags, 
well elevated above the water, and generally choose such lagoons 
as will not rise sufficiently to flood the nest, except in the case of a 
very unusual fall of rain. These Ducks during the winter moult 
lose all the feathers of the wings at once, and then they take good 
care not to get far away from the reeds and other cover, where they 
hide with much cunning; a good water-spaniel is then useful, as 
the birds, though moulting, are generally fat and excellent eating. 
I shot several in this condition on the ‘ Barbel Pan,’ near the 
Rhinoster River, in the Orange Free State, last winter.” It was 
seen in Mashoona Land by Mr. Jameson’s expedition. Mr. Anders- 
son writes: “ This Duck is somewhat common on Lake N’gami and 
the Totletlé River, but I do not remember to have met with it 
in Damara or Great Namaqua Land, though to the south of the 
Orange River it is a widely diffused and common species.” Senor 
Anchieta has met with it at Huilla and Caconda. 
Throughout a light brown, each feather broadly edged with white, 
giving the whole a scaled appearance; head and neck minutely 
mottled with white; a broad green band, narrowly edged with 
black, and again by white, extends partially across the wing; bill 
bright yellow, with the tip and centre of upper mandible black. 
Length, 22”; wing, 9”; tail, 4”. 
Fig. Smith, Ill. Zool. S. Afr. Aves, pl. 96. 
729. Anas sparsa, Smith. Black Duck. 
The Black Duck is solitary and shy in its habits, frequenting 
rivers, under the banks of which it conceals itself during the day. 
It is scarce, but generally distributed. We have received specimens 
from Colesbere and Traka, and heard of it at Middelburg, where 
our late friend, Mr. Jackson, shot several specimens. It may be 
distinguished from all other ducks by its dark plumage and abrupt 
white spots. Mr. Atmore writes: ‘The common duck of the 
Oliphants River—very shy—delicious eating.’ Mr. H. Bowker 
sends eggs procured in Basuto Land, near Maseru. ‘Nest in a 
mass of drift in an overhanging willow-tree on the banks of the 
Caledon River. It was about fifteen feet from the ground and six 
from the water in a hollow of the rotten wood under the wreck, and 
lined with down from the bird’s own breast. There were only five 
eggs in the nest, almost ready to hatch.” The eggs are similar in 
