GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



the wings, and two others on the sides of the rump ; sides 

 of the head yellowish ; throat white. This species varies much 

 individually in size, some birds being so small that they look 

 almost like a different species. 



Distribution. Extends from Gambia on the west and Kordofan on 

 the White Nile throughout the whole of Africa southwards. 



It is common enough in the Orange River Colony and Transvaal, 

 Bechuanaland, and along the Zambesi, and is not often found 

 to the south of the Orange River. 



Spur-wing are residents of most of the large marshes and 

 Jakes, and are often to be found living on the rivers also. 

 By day they stay on the pans, washing, sleeping and resting, 

 but towards nightfall they flight out into the grassy fields 

 and grain crops, and do an immense amount of damage, 

 treading down the standing corn with their huge feet and 

 wasting and spoiling much more than they eat. Sergt. 

 Davies writes me that when the corn is in stooks they perch 

 on them and greedily strip the grain from the top sheaves, 

 and he tells me he has seen many of the stooks completely 

 ruined by these birds. 



These geese are easy to keep in captivity, but if the young 

 birds are obtained whilst still in the downy stage, care should 

 be taken not to let them swim in water or they are sure to 

 get cramp ; they will feed readily on any grain which has 

 been previously soaked in water, as well as on soft bread, 

 and they should, if possible, have access to young grass, as 

 like all true geese they get much of their food by grazing. 

 When they are adult it is not safe to keep them with smaller 

 and weaker birds, as they are very powerful and have rather 

 an uncertain temper. 



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