344 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



surface of the water, settling again as soon as possible ; 

 it appears to prefer endeavouring to escape from danger 

 by diving, in which it is very expert, being able to con- 

 tinue long under water. 



The upper mandible of the bill is shining blackish 

 brown, marbled with yellow on the sides, and dull on the 

 nail ; the lower mandible dusky yellow with a brown 

 patch at the base ; the legs and toes dark livid brown, 

 the webs inky-coloured. 



Measurements of a male and a female : 



Male. Female, 



in. lin. in. lin. 



Entire length 15 1 14 9 



Length of folded wing ...66 54 



tarsus 18 17 



middle toe ....30 29 



taU 26 29 



biU 20 1 10 



[This species appears also to inhabit Ondonga, as a specimen 

 obtained there on November 6th 1867, was comprised in Mr. 

 Andersson's last collection. ED.] 



397. Erismatura maccoa (Smith). Maccoa Diving Duck. 



Oxyura maccoa, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pis. 108 & 109. 

 Erismatura maccoa, Layard's Cat. No. 661. 



[Mr. Andersson does not appear to have met with this species, 

 which, however, must not be omitted from the present work, as 

 a female specimen is recorded (loc. cit.) as having been obtained 

 at the mouth of the Orange River by Sir Andrew Smith. ED.] 



