370 BIRDS OF DAMABA LAND. 



bronzy reflections ; the feathers narrowly (1-1^ millim.) edged 

 with greenish black, rounded at the tips in adults, but slightly 

 pointed in younger specimens ; throat almost bare, but the space 

 extending from the angle of the mouth to below the nostrils 

 feathered; the sides of the head much feathered, but a black 

 bare ring round the eyes (2 millims. wide) . Rectrices twelve. 

 Iris ochre-yellow in adult birds, but green on the lower moiety, 

 in younger specimens entirely a cinereous brown ; bill blackish 

 horn-colour ; feet black. 



"Male. — Entire length 715 millims. ; expanse of wings 1160 j 

 bill from forehead 60, height at base 13-5 ; wing 273 ; tail 130 

 to 138 ; tarsus 55 ; middle toe, with claw, 82. 



" Female. — BiU from forehead 56 millims., height 13 ; wing 

 269; tail 137; tarsus 55. 



" Tolerably frequent on the islands off the coast of Western 

 South Africa, such as Possession, Halifax, Ichaboe, &c." 



This species has not been figured — Ed. J 



427. Graculus africanUS (Gmel.). Long-tailed Cormorant. 



Carho longicauda, Swainson's Birds of W. Afr. vol. ii. pi. 31. 

 Graculus coronatus, Watlberg, in Journ. fur Orn. 1857, p. 4. 

 Graculus africanus, Layard's Cat. No. 700. 



Phalacrocorax africanus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 423. 

 Graculus africanus, Finsck & Plartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika'a, p. 847. 



This Cormorant occurs on Lake Ngami and its water- 

 sheds ; but I have never met with it, except on inland 

 waters. It feeds on fish, and is a most expert diver. Its 

 flight is strong and rapid ; and it perches on trees both 

 during the day and at night. 



This species feeds chiefly at night ; as the sun declines 

 it is seen in flocks flying from its roosting-places to its 

 fishing-grounds. During the day it remains in great 

 measure stationary, either lazily sunning itself on some 

 branch overhanging the water, or on a bunch of reed ; 

 or it may be seen standing erect on a sandbank, with 



