52 PLECTROPTERUS GAMBENSIS 



Sclater, 1906), and is said to be common on the vlcis of the Orange River, where it breeds (Horsbrugh, 

 1912; Holub and von Pelzeln, 1882; Haagner and Ivy, 1908). It is extremely rare in Cape Colony, 

 excepting on parts of the Orange River, though it was found rather frequently at Matatiele and East 

 Griqualand (Davies, 1908). It was once met with at Aliwal North (C. H. T. Whitehead, 1903) and is 

 said to be not uncommon in the Lady Grey Division (Lawrence, fide Stark and Sclater, 1906). On 

 the coast it occurs rarely at Port St. John (Shortridge, 1904) and at King William's Town. So far as 

 I know it has never been reported from any of the western regions of the Colony, and it is unknown 

 from (former) German Southwest Africa. 



It must be added here that the present species has been taken a few times in Europe, and though 

 it is more than probable that these were escaped specimens, there are still writers who have their 

 _ doubts. One was taken on June 20, 1821, near St. Germans, Cornwall, England, and 



another in February, 1855, near Banff, Scotland; while the third record for the British 

 Isles is one for Pewsey, Wilts, England, September 3, 1869 (F. O. Morris, 1903). One was taken in 

 Berkshire, England, 1858-59 (B. O. U. Check-list). It has been taken on the continent but once, to my 

 knowledge, namely, at Alfeite, Portugal (Seabra, 1910). 



GENERAL HABITS 



Although the literature on this species is considerable, it must be confessed that 

 very little is known of its intimate life-history. Von Heuglin (1873) has given us 

 the most detailed account, and one which is well worth summarizing. He says in 

 part, that in Northeast Africa this duck lives in pairs or families, and during the 

 winter dry season is sometimes found in large flocks on waters and swamps. In the 

 daytime they like to lie in the lowlands where wild rice is abundant, and also on 

 moist meadows or new grain-fields. Mornings and evenings they alight amidst 

 "hellish uproar" on open waters and sandbanks. They do not seem to migrate 

 in Northeast Africa, but when the dry season begins they leave some of their favor- 

 ite haunts, especially the extensive swamps which lie on the banks of both Blue 

 and White Niles and their tributaries. In these districts they inhabit both the 

 swampy woods and the treeless morasses. On land their attitude resembles that of 

 the swans, the neck being sometimes erect, but more frequently S-shaped. In 

 spite of their short legs and large webbed feet, their gait is certain and quick; the 

 flight, however, is somewhat clumsy, prolonged, and occasionally gliding, and when 

 rising or alighting the bird is very noisy. The breeding period, he thinks, must fall 

 in the summer rainy season, for at that time single pairs break away from the flocks. 

 He himself never found a nest, but had young birds brought to him from Kordofan 

 in September. The moult takes place in December. 



Abel Chapman (1921), speaking of their habits on the White Nile, says that 

 they prefer to roost on drier islands and on firmer ground than those selected by the 

 Egyptian Geese. 



Daily Movements. Bohm (1882) states that partly before sunrise and partly 

 after, they arrive from their roosting-places on the swamps and ponds to spend the 



