AN ATI D^:. 345 



covered in front with transverse scales ; the tibia lengthened 

 and exposed ; toes short, the anterior ones united together by 

 a membrane ; the hind toe free, very short, and almost 

 touching the ground; the claws short. 



644. Phcenicopterus Erythraeus, 



GENERAL colour, pure-white ; the wings black and crimson ; 

 base of the bill crimson ; the tip black ; legs light-crimson. 

 Length, 4' b" ; wing, 17*" ; tail, 8" ; leg, 2' 2". 



Our large Flamingo has a wide range throughout South Africa, and ^L 

 has been killed, both in mature and young plumage, at the mouth of 

 Salt River, close to Cape Town. I am informed that it is very 

 abundant at Verloren Yley at certain seasons ; and many persons have 

 assured me that it breeds there. 



Mr. Chapman also informs me that both the Flamingos found in 

 South Africa breed on Lake N'Gami, forming a large elevated nest of 

 rushes, amid the reeds that surround the lake. I saw it in great num- 

 bers at the mouth of the river flowing out of Zoetendals Vley in 

 November. An egg, said to belong to this species, was presented to 

 the Museum by Miss Boonzaier, of Hoedtje's Bay. It is pure white, 

 finely granulated ; shell extremely thin : axis, 3" 9'" ; diam., 2" 7"-'. 







645. Phoenicopterus Minor, Geoffr., PL Eni. 



419; Ph. PGLTVUS, Vieil., Ann. d'Ornith. Gal. Des. 

 Ois., t. 273. 



GENERAL colour, pale-pink wings black ; outside edges deep- 

 pink, or crimson; bill purple-pink. Length, 3' 3"; wing, 

 14"; tail 6"; leg, 16". 



Several specimens of this Flamingo have reached my hands from 

 widely different localities ; and Mr. Piers informs me that they approach 

 the end of the peninsula as far as Vogel Vley, near Tulbagh. 



The Sub-Family, PLECTROPTERIN^, or Spur- 

 winged Geese, 



'have the bill long, generally of equal width throughout, and 

 armed at the tip with a strong broad nail ; the apical part of 

 the tibia and knee naked ; the tarsi lengthened, compres- 

 sed, and covered with small subquadrute scales ; the toes 

 moderate, and the anterior ones more or less united by a 

 membrane ; the hind toe long, simple, and generally elevated. 



Genus PLECIROPTERUS, Leach. 



Bill lengthened, the base as broad as high, aud the culmen 

 gradually sloping to the tip, which is armed with a large 



