124 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



large size be taken into consideration, such a mistake can reasonably 

 be excused. Generally frequenting secluded vleys margined with 

 timber, it is rather a stupid bird and not by any means difficult of 

 approach, particularly when perched on the branches of trees, as, 

 when in this elevated position, it appears to be under the impression 

 that all danger is removed. When a flock is met with in some 

 favourite resort, although it may fly away after being fired at, it will 

 usually return again and again to the same place after short intervals, 

 and aifords a sportsman every opportunity of obtaining a large bag. 

 The flesh is delicious, and is said by some who have had an oppor- 

 tunity of judging to rival in flavour the canvas-back duck of North 

 America. 



The Black Duck {A7ias sparsa). Fig. 6i, Plate XII. 



{_Stze considerably larger than the common mallard. General 

 colour, very dai-k brown, almost black, mottled about the head ; 

 wings and tail marked with several distinct white round spots ; 

 wings marked with two narrow bars of white and black, followed 

 by a broader one of lustrous green.\ 



This very shy and now somewhat . rare Duck is only found along 

 some of the sluggish rivers of the Cape Colony proper, the Orange 

 Free State, Natal, and occasionally on the Southern borders of the 

 Transvaal. Some ten years since it was not at all uncommon on the 

 Reit and Modder Rivers (tributaries of the Vaal), but always kept 

 concealed during the day under the shade of the karee or willow 

 trees which overhang the banks of these streams. It is not found in 

 Damaraland, Lake 'Ngami, or Okavango regions, but is said to 

 frequent portions of the lower Zambesi. It is always met with in 

 pairs. 



The Yellow-necked or Whife-backed Widgeon {Thalas- 

 sornis leuconota). Fig. 68, Plate XII. 



\Size somewhat larger and the body m.ore thick set than the 

 common Widgeon of the British Isles. Bill blackish brown, shaped 

 like that of a goose, broader towards the point ; head mottled 

 minutely with brown and dirty yellowish spots ; neck nearly all 

 round, yellow ; feathers of same, and on breast and belly, fluffy and 

 oily looking, like those of a grebe ; upper portion of breast mottled ; 



