Spur-winged Goose. 467 



East Africa and in Somali-land, where it is known to the in- 

 habitants as Etal Jaz, or 'who lives at the wells.'* It is 

 generally allowed to be the most unpalatable of all the tribe, and 

 by most people considered quite uneatable. 



181. SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Anser gambensis). 



I have an account of the capture near Netheravon, on the edge 

 of Salisbury Plain, on September 4, 1869, of this very rare 

 African Goose, of which but three other specimens are known to 

 have occurred in the British Isles.f It had been seen for some 

 days previously associating with some tame geese in the fields, 

 and was killed by Mr. Rowden, of Upavon, as I was informed 

 by my friend the late Rev. C. Raikes. I had also notice 

 of another which was shot near Ramsbury in November, 1881, 

 but on inquiry this turned out to be an escaped prisoner from a 

 pond in the neighbourhood, where two, which were sent over 

 from Africa, had been for some time in captivity. It is not im- 

 probable that the Netheravon bird may also have escaped from 

 confinement, but of this there is no evidence to show. This- 

 species is not only extremely handsome, with well-marked glossy 

 and bronzed plumage, but it is remarkable for the strong white 

 horny spur, above half an inch in length, and turning upwards, 

 situated on the carpal joint of each wing, as in the Spur- winged 

 Plover (Ckaradrius spinosus), at whose formidable weapons in 

 every variety of bluntness I had often marvelled in the many 

 specimens which I shot on the Nile* It is a native of tropical 

 Africa, and though called a goose, and with the general appear- 

 ance of a goose, it is thought to be more nearly allied to the 

 ducks, which it resembles in manner of feeding and some other 

 respects. It derives its specific name, gambensis, from Sene- 

 gambia, in West Africa ; and plectropterus, ' Spur- winged/ the 

 generic name bestowed upon it by some, from the peculiarity 

 mentioned above. 



Capt. J. H. Speke in Ibis for 1860, p. 248. 



f Recorded in the Fourth Edition of ' Yarrell/ vol. iv., p. 305 ; and in 

 Science Gossip for 1870, p. 51. 



302 



