Corrections of Synonymy in the Family Sylviidse. 273 



The same observations as to the moulting of the wing- 

 feathers applies to this as to the preceding species. 



357. QUERQUEDULA HOTTENTOTTA, Smith. Hottentot Teal. 

 Male and female, shot near Potchefstroom in the month of 

 November. 



ANAS SPARSA, Smith. White-spotted Duck. 



Male, shot 7th March. Total length 22 inches, bill 2J, 

 wing 10J, tarsus 2J, tail 5 ; weight 2 Ib. 8 oz. Irides 

 hazel ; bill, upper mandible slaty horn-colour, with a large 

 patch in the centre and also the tip black, under mandible 

 pale pink ; tarsi and feet dull orange-yellow, with the webs 

 and back parts dusky. 



Female, shot 19th April. Total length 21 \ inches ; weight 

 2 Ib. 6 oz. Irides dusky brown ; bill, upper mandible slaty 

 blue, with tip and central patch black, under mandible pinkish; 

 tarsi and feet as in the male. The whole canal to the stomach 

 crammed with grass-seeds. 



PHALACROCORAX AFRICANUS (Gin.). Long-tailed African 

 Cormorant. 



Male, shot 26th July. Partially in nuptial dress. Irides 

 bright light crimson ; bill chrome-yellow, but light dusky 

 brown on the ridge, tip, and part of the lower mandible, the 

 latter being also more or less barred ; tarsi and feet black. 

 Remains of fish in the stomach. 



These Cormorants are tolerably numerous about Potchef- 

 stroom, but appear to keep to themselves, for they fish and 

 move from place to place in a solitary manner, passing along 

 the river, generally high overhead, early in the morning to 

 their favourite pools, and returning pretty regularly in the 

 evening to where they sleep; they swim very low in the 

 water. 



XXV. Various Corrections of Synonymy in the Family' 

 Sylviidse. By HENRY SEEBOHM. 



IN preparing the synonymy of the fifth volume of the ' Cata- 

 logue of Birds in the British Museum/ I have been obliged to 



SER. IV. VOL. IV, 17 



