336 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



This is the most common species of Goose on the 

 waters of Damara and Great Namaqua Land, where it 

 remains throughout the year, and is invariably found 

 either in pairs or in small flocks. 



During the daytime it is not unfrequently to be seen 

 at some distance from the water. When on the wing 

 it utters a kind of barking quack. 



Its flesh is very dark-coloured, coarse-tasted, and at 

 times uneatable. 



The irides are brownish orange, the legs bright flesh- 

 colour. 



Average dimensions of two males : — 



in, Ud. 



Entire length 26 5 



Length of folded wing 15 



„ tarsus 3 5 



„ middle toe 3 2 



„ tail 6 



„ bill 2 2 



[As Mr. Andersson does not record the measurements of a 

 female bird, I may add that the females of this species are con- 

 siderably smaller than the males. — Ed.] 



387. Nettapus auritus (Bodd.). African Dwarf Goose. 



Sarcelle cle Madagascar, Buffbn's PI. Enl. vol. x. p. 121, pi. 770. 

 Nettapus madagascariensis, Layard's Cat. No. 649. 



„ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. 



p. 422. 

 Nettapus auritus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 10593. 



I have only observed this handsome little Goose on 

 Lake Ngami and its watersheds, where it is not un- 

 common. 



It is met with in small flocks, and is not very shy. It 



