GEESE AND DUCKS 149 



Flamingo from Kroonstad district, and we have seen them 

 in flocks on some of the vleis between Brandfort and 

 Bultfontein, Orange River Colony. It is reported as 

 breeding in South Africa by several observers. 



It breeds regularly in the South of Spain. Little is 

 known in South Africa of the smaller species. 



GEESE AND DUCKS. 



The Ducks, Geese, and Swans form the Order Anseres, 

 whereof South Africa possesses but a single Sub-family 

 (Anatince) containing eleven genera with eighteen species. 



The Spur- winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis), 

 known to the Boers as the Wilde Macaauw (wild 

 Muscovy), is glossy black with metallic reflections, the 

 sides of the head, throat, and lower neck, breast, belly, 

 and edge of wing white ; the wing armed with a sharp 

 spur ; bare skin on the top of the head, with the knob 

 and bill, red. 



This species has been but seldom recorded from the 

 Cape Colony but is quite common on the vleis of the 

 Orange Kiver Colony, often consorting in flocks with 

 ducks and other waterfowl, the vleis being literally 

 covered with aquatic birds at certain seasons. 



It may be seen in captivity on some farms, in a semi- 

 domesticated condition, having been reared from the 

 egg. It takes a lot of shot, being exceedingly tough in 

 the adult stage. The eggs are shiny white, and nearly 

 3 inches in length. 



The Dwarf Goose (Nettopus auritus) is, as its trivial 

 name indicates, a very diminutive member of the goose 

 tribe. It is dark metallic green, brown, black and white 

 in coloration, and is quite a neat, handsome little bird. 



