by Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa, 27 



the wing flying over water it appears quite of a bluisli colour, 

 and I have at first glance several times failed to recognise 

 the species. Several young were secured in April from a vlci 

 near V. akkerstrooni, Avhere they had obviously heeu bred in 

 the long grass.] 



620. Anas sparsa. 



Z. Ngoye Hills, Sept., Oct. (1 ? and 4< juv.) ; P. Tam- 

 barara, A pi. (1). 



Young birds out of down with the speculum just appearing 

 are almost white on the lower breast and belly, but in other 

 respects very similar to the adults. 



[I think I have seen the Black Duck in every locality 

 visited, except in Namaqualand, where there was no 

 Avater for it to frequent. This Duck is always seen in pairs 

 in and out of the breeding-season, except when the young 

 are just able to fly, when the old pair and the young keep 

 together for a time. Young birds were secured in Zululand 

 in September and October ; in the latter month three were 

 shot with one barrel from a brood of six on a small river in 

 the Ngoye Hills, on this occasion no old birds were present. 

 "When travelling in pairs the drake continually calls to the 

 duck and she answers back, the call being identical with that 

 oi A. boscas ; but when travelling singly no call is heard. In 

 Gorongoza I saw these Ducks flying every evening just after 

 sundown, returning again by the same route on the first 

 streaks of dawn ; but they always passed too high for 

 shooting. The flight is straight and very fast.] 



622. NeTTION PUNCTATUiNI. 



Z. Umfolosi Station, Aug. (2), 



[The Hottentot Teal was seen on the lagoons at the 

 Umfolosi River in Zululand ; several pairs were observed 

 on the Tsende River in the North-Eastern Transvaal in 

 Sept. 1905, which at that time of year was only in pools, 

 and one pair was noticed flying down the Mazoe River in 

 Sept. 1907. Its small size combined with the white tips 

 to tiie secondaries at once distinguishes it on the wing 

 from every other Duck. 



The soft parts of an adult arc :- — Irides brow'c ; bill and 

 legs pale blue-slaty.] 



