118 



ANSEKES SARCIDIOKNIS 



612. Plectropterus niger. Black Spur-winged Goose. 



Plectropterus niger, P. L. Sclater, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 47, pi. 7 ; Salvadori, 

 Cat. B. M. xxvii, p. 50 (1895) ; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 170 (1896) ; Oates, 

 Cat. B. Eggs, ii, p. 142 (1902). 



Plectropterus gambensis niger, Reichenow, Vog. Afr. i, p. 136 (1900). 

 (Some of the references to the previous species may refer partly or 

 wholly -to this one.) 



Description. Adult. Closely resembling P. gambensis but with 

 less white on the plumage, which is black throughout except for a 

 patch on the abdomen ; under tail coverts mostly black ; frontal 

 knob not prominent ; naked sides of the face restricted. 



Iris dark brown ; bill bright red ; with a whitish or pale flesh 

 coloured nail ; tarsus and feet dingy pale. 



^Length about 38-0; wing 20-0; tail 9-0; tarsus 5-0; bill from 

 gape 3-7. 



An example from near Beira in the South African Museum 

 agrees very well with the description of this species, except that it 

 has almost as much white on the wings as the true P. gambensis, 

 and I strongly suspect that P. niger and P. gambensis are really only 

 different forms of the same species, perhaps due to age. 



Distribution. The types of this species, brought to England 

 alive for the Zoological Gardens in London, came from Zanzibar. 

 An example from Potchefstroom is preserved in the British Museum, 

 while the specimen from near Beira obtained by Mr. L. MacLean 

 for the South African Museum has already been alluded to. If 

 distinct, this species will probably be found to range over South-east 

 Africa from Zanzibar to Natal. 



Genus II. SARCIDIORNIS. 



Type. 

 Sarkidiornis, Eyton, Mon. Anat. p. 20 (1838) S. melanonota. 



Bill rather short and high, with a prominent nail at the tip ; a 

 semi-circular flattened elevation (the "knob" or "comb") along 

 the top of the culmen, present in the males only ; front of the face 

 and chin fully feathered ; wings long, nearly reaching the tip of the 

 tail ; third primary usually the longest ; a blunt osseous lump on 

 the carpal bone but no horny spur ; tail of twelve feathers, Qompara- 

 tively short and rounded ; tarsus reticulated ; hind toe moderate 

 with a very narrow lobe ; plumage glossy above ; trachea with an 



