GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



seen hybrids between it and the Ruddy Sheld-drake {Gasarca 

 casarca) to which it is nearly akin, the Canada Goose (Bernicla 

 canadensis), and some beautiful hybrids between it and the 

 European Sheld-drake {Tadorna tadorna). 



When breeding in confinement these birds are very noisy, 

 quarrelsome, and dangerous to other water-fowl, but are 

 courageous to a degree and firm believers in the " bold 

 offensive," for they wiU promptly attack anything which 

 they even think might attack their goslings. Their strength 

 and fury is so great, too, that they generally get the best 

 of it. 



In the wild state in South Africa they are familiar residents 

 on most large pans and marshes, but are shy and wild, and 

 take a tremendous lot of shot. They generally go about in 

 pairs, and when flying utter a loud cackling call which 

 Anderson describes as a " barking quack." 



As a sporting bird they are not worth shooting, their flesh 

 being tough and rank; even young ones are not very 

 palatable. I once saw a bird picked up after a drive, and at 

 some previous date it had been hit by a bullet at the base of 

 the lower mandible, which, as weU as most of the tongue, 

 had been carried almost entirely away. Nevertheless the 

 wovmd had completely healed, and the bird was fat and in 

 good condition. 



Egyptian Geese live nearly entirely on grass and herbage, 

 and are most persistent grazers. 



At certain times of the year large numbers assemble at 

 the big marshes and lakes, to breed and cast their flight- 

 feathers. 



I have found the nests among thick rushes and water-weeds, 

 but sometimes quite different nesting-places are chosen. 

 They will nest in a hole or in a hollow tree. This, however, 



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