426 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the birds were in pairs in November, and evidently going to 

 breed. 



Porzana bailloni (Vieil.), Baillon's Crake.— Frequently met 

 with in the " vleys " to the east of Newcastle, and several speci- 

 mens obtained in September and October, but no nest could be 

 found, although a male shot by Butler on the 1st October, the 

 measurements of which are given below, was largely developed for 

 breeding. They breed later probably. Length, 7£ in. ; wing, 

 3£ in. ; tarsus, If in. ; bill, from front, j| in., from gape, f in. ; 

 expanse, lOf in. Iris orange-red; bill green, dusky on the 

 culmen ; legs and feet pale olive or drab ; orbital skin buff (B). 



Porphyrio smaragnotus, Temm., Purple Gallinule. — This 

 handsome bird was not uncommon in the " vleys " round New- 

 castle, and examples were obtained, in September and following 

 months. 



Limnocorax niger (Gin.). — One seen by Butler and Reid in a 

 small " vley " near the junction of the Ingagane and Buffalo on 

 the 16th October, but all their efforts to dislodge it from the 

 thick rushes proved unavailing. Butler flushed a Rail on another 

 occasion in a " vley " near Newcastle, which he believes to have 

 also belonged to the present species. 



Fulica cristata, Gmel., Crested Coot. — Abundant in all the 

 " vleys " in the Newcastle district throughout the year. Many 

 nests were found and eggs taken in September and October. 

 Butler's notes contain the following : — " 18th Sept., numerous 

 nests building near Newcastle ; one contained five eggs, chipped, 

 another seven fresh eggs, and another five fresh eggs. The nests 

 were of the ordinary Coot type, consisting of large sedge struc- 

 tures floating on the water, and built in thin or thick rushes by 

 the side of " vleys." The eggs appeared to me to have the 

 markings larger and bolder than those of F. atra. The chicks 

 are very pretty, being covered with sulphur-yellow, and black down 

 inclining to rich orange-red round the base of the bill. Bills 

 bright red." 



f.Podiceps minor, (6m.), Little Grebe. — Common on all the 

 larger " vleys " in October and November. A larger Grebe, 

 which we imagine to have been P. auritus, was also frequently 

 seen, but we did not obtain a specimen. 



Plectropterus gambensis (Linn.), Spur-winged Goose. — Abun- 

 dant in the Newcastle district all through the winter, and up to 



