142 



Sub-Family PLECTROPTERDsLE. 



Genus PLECTROPTERUS, Steph. 

 Plectropterus niger, Scl. 



Plectropterus ganibensis, Sharpe, ed. Laymtfs Birds S. Africa, p. 746 



(1875-84). 

 Plectropterus niger, Salvadori, Cat. Birds B. M. xxvii. p. 50 (1895) ; 



Sharpe, Hand-l i. p. 208 (1899). 



The single egg of the South- African Spur-winged Goose in the 

 Collection was taken from the oviduct of a bird of this species : it is a 

 broad oval, very glossy and ivory-white, and measures 2*9 by 2-18. 



1. Potchefstroom, Transvaal, Oct. Crowley Bequest. 



(T. Ay res: Tristram Coll}. 



Genus CAIRINA, Fleming. 



Cairina moschata (Linn.}. 



'Cairina moschata, Scl. $ Suds. Argent. Orn. ii. p. 129 (1889) ; Salvadori, 

 Cat. Birds B. M. xxvii. p. 51 (1895) ; Sharpe, Hand-l. i. p. 208 

 (1899) ; Nehrk. Kat. Eiermmml. p. 242 (1899) ; von Ihering, Rev. 

 Mus. Paulista, iv. p. 279 (1900). 



The eggs of the Muscovy Duck are broad ovals, almost elliptical 

 in shape, smooth, fairly glossy, and of a greyish-white colour. 

 Three examples measure respectively : 2-22 by 1*7 ; 2'22 by 1/8 ; 

 2-25 by 1-7. 



2. [S. America.] Old Collection. 



1. [S. America] (Nehrkorn Coll.). Crowley Bequest. 



Genus SARCIDIORNIS, Eyton. 

 Sarcidiornis melanonota (1'enn.). 



Sarkidiornis nielanotus, Anderss. Birds Damara-Land, p. 335 (1872). 

 Sarcidiornis africana, Sharpe, ed. Layartfs Birds S. Africa, p. 752 (1875- 



84) ; Cowan, Proc. R. Phys. Soc. Edin. vii. p. 149 (1882). 

 Sarcidiornis melanonotus, Legge, Birds Ceylon, p. 1063 (1880) ; Hume $ 



Marsh. Game Birds 2nd. iii. p. 91 (1880) ; Oates ed. Hume, Nests $ 



Eggs Ind. B. iii. p. 282 (1890) ; Blanf. Fauna Brit. 2nd., Birds, iv. 



p. 423 (1898). 

 Sarcidiornis nielanotus, Milne-Edwards 8f Grandidier, Hist. Nat. Madag., 



Ois. ii. p. 719, pi. 307. fig. 2 (1885). 

 Sarcidiornis melanonota, Salvadori, Cat. Birds B. M. xxvii. p. 54 (1895) ; 



Oates, Game Birds 2nd. ii. p. 103 (1899) ; Sharpe, Hand-l. i. p. 208 



(1899). 



The eggs of the Comb-Duck are generally elliptical in shape, but 

 the smaller end is sometimes very slightly compressed. They art^ 

 smooth, rather glossy, and pale yellowish white. They measure' 

 from 2-22 to 2'58 in length, and from 1'65 to 1*78 in breadth. 



