896 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
total length is about two feet, and two feet six 
span of wing; the beak is about the size of 
that of a large mallard, and the breast feathers 
similar in plumage to that bird. The back is 
dark brown ; the secondaries of the wings of a 
cinnamon colour, the primary quills being a 
dark green; over the wings are epaulettes of 
white; the head is brown; the throat grey. 
Around the neck is a ring, and in the centre 
of the breast is a large spot, of cinnamon brown. 
With this may be named the " African Dar- 
ter." It is about two feet nine inches long ; 
the tail is fanned, and the beak very long, nar- 
row, and sharp ; it is also serriated with small 
teeth, inclining backwards. The body is black, 
and along the back lie several long narrow fea- 
thers, striped longitudinally black and white ; 
the neck is very long, narrow, and curved, and 
in colour, it is on the male bird, cinnamon 
brown, on the female, grey; the throat is 
white, the back of the head and neck are of a 
mottled brown ; the feet are large and webbed. 
This is, of course, a marine bird, usually found 
at the mouths of the tidal rivers along the 
coast. Beside these, there are, of this class, 
the widgeon, teal, waterhen, and five varieties 
of wild ducks : the most remarkable of which, 
is the " Vildernaakeon" or spurwinged goose. 
This is a handsome black duck shot with a 
