AFRICAN BLACK DUCK 
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(J. H. Gurney, 1859; Finsch and Hartlaub, 1870; C. G. Davie's, 1908). Farther 
north, in the Kilimandjaro region, it has been found at altitudes up to 4300 feet 
(Sjostedt, 1910), and on the rivers of the Ruwenzori Range to 12,000 feet (Ogilvie- 
Grant, 1910). In British East Africa it may be found on any small swamp or river 
after the rains have begun, from October to January (Hinde, 1900). On the central 
Abyssinian plateau it was not found on the larger rivers that teemed with Yellow- 
bills and other ducks but on the streams (Ogilvie-Grant, 1900). Von Erlanger (1905) 
found them common on these mountain streams in pairs at altitudes of over 7900 
feet; and several times he saw them at considerable distances from streams, on the 
alpine meadows, where cattle were grazing. Chapin (MS.) found it a very rare bird 
on the forest brooks of the Ituri River district (northeastern Congo). 
WTien Mr. F. E. Blaauw (1917a) was in South Africa in the spring of 1914 he only 
once succeeded in seeing this duck. In following the course of a mountain stream in 
the Zwarte Bergen on his way to the Congo caves, he flushed a duck which probably 
had young ones. The bird flew a short distance only and then kept anxiously looking 
back. 
"Wariness. Though not always described as a wild bird, the African Black Duck 
it certainly shy, retiring and more or less nocturnal; and owing to its ability to skulk 
off into concealment its presence is often overlooked (Mouritz, 1915). In Abyssinia 
on the high mountain meadows it was so shy and cautious that it could not be ap- 
proached within shot (von Erlanger, 1905). 
Daily Movements. In the evening it flights just after sundown like most other 
ducks, returning by the same route at dawn (W. L. Sclater, 1912a). 
Gait, Swimming, Diving, Flight. There is every indication that this species 
does not conform in its habits to those of the true surface-feeding ducks, for it is an 
excellent diver (von Heuglin, 1873). When it has moulted the flight-feathers, it is 
said to depend for its safety entirely on diving and hiding under the river-banks. 
At this it is very expert, and can with difficulty be seared from its concealment 
(Layard, 1875-84). Blaauw’s (1917a) eaptive birds, whieh seemed to him more 
allied to the Gadwall than to the Mallardlike ducks, were very expert divers, almost 
rivalling the true diving dueks in this respect. 
It is said to rise somewhat heavily when disturbed (Stark and Sclater, 1906) but to 
have a swift, straight flight when under way (W. L. Sclater, 1912a). Aeeording to 
von Heuglin (1873) the flight is hasty, noisy and whistling, but this evidently refers 
to their rising when flushed. The birds are almost always found in pairs, except for a 
time after the breeding season, when the young are still with the female (W. L. 
Sclater, 1912a). No observers have noted large flocks. Family parties follow the 
streams in close formation (von Heuglin, 1873). 
