PLECTROPTERUS GAMBENSIS. 



SPUR-WINGED GOOSE. 



(Plates 46A, 46B, and 460.) 



Anas Gambensis, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., i, p. 195 (1766). 



Plectropterus gambensis, Sharpe's ed. Layard Birds of S. Afr., p. 746 

 (1875-84); Nicolls & Eglington, Sportsman in S. Afr., p. 121 

 (1892) ; Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., xxvii, p. 48 (1895) ; 

 Shelley, Birds of Afr., i, p. 170 (1896) ; Sharpe, Hand-List of 

 Birds, I, p. 208 (1899) ; Reichenow, Vogel Afrikas, 1, p. 134 

 (1900-01) ; Sclater, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., m, p. 351 (1905) ; Sclater 

 and Stark, Birds of S. Afr., iv, p. 115 (1906). 



Local Names. " Wilde Macaauw " or " Makow " of the Dutch ; 

 " Peele, Peele " of the Bechuanas (Nicolls & Eglington) ; " Esikwi " 

 of the KafBrs (LaAvrence) ; " Letsikhir " of the Basutos 

 (Murray). 



Description. Length about 40 in. ; wing 21| in. Weight about 

 12 lb. ; has been obtained up to 15 lb. 



I have figured the three varieties of this species which I 

 do not consider entitled to specific rank. Plate 46A represents 

 the Northern form known as P. gambensis rueffelli. Plate 46B 

 shows the intermediate form, which merges into the Northern 

 form on the one hand and into the bird shown on Plate 460 

 on the other. This latter is the most Southern form. I 

 have found nearly every intermediate grade of coloration 

 between them. 



The female is like the male, but is slightly smaller. Young 

 birds have the face entirely feathered and no frontal knob. 

 The young in down are pale yellowish, with the upper -parts 

 pale brown, two yellowish spots on the back at the base of 



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