Birds of Gambia. 
237 
Ivegaii so brightly has ended very sadly, and will not en- 
courago my readers tc try their hand at keeping Sun birds, 
but I hope that the day will come when we shall 'know more 
about the way to keep these living gems as happy in our 
aviaries, as they are in Indian Gardens. 
[A brighter story can now be told of the captive life 
pf these birds in this country, as we know of several which 
have now been over two years in captivity and have just 
successfully passed another moult in this country and are not 
not one whit less brilliant in plumage than when disporting 
themselves upon their native heath. Moreover they are not 
difficult to keep fit, providing they are protected from cold 
and draught. During the warm months of the year, they can 
enjoy the freedom of an out-door flight.— Ed.] 
Birds of Gambia. 
By E. Hopkinson, D.S.O., M.A., M.B. 
Coiiti/med from page 809. 
PHOENICOPTERID^E 
Plioenicopterus roficus. ROSY FLAMINGO. 
Bange. South Europe to Central Asia; India; Africa. (H.L). 
During nine years I have only sesn Flamingoes twicei, so 
tliat they can only be considered rare visitors to the Gamhia, as 
such large and conspicuous hirds are not likely to be overlobke^l . 
The first time was in October, 1904, when I saw a pair among 
some Crown-birds wading in the shallows at the end of Kaihai Island, 
some 150 miles up the river. The second was in November, 1908, 
when a single Flamingo flew jiast Government House at Cape St. 
Mafl-y, near Batliurst, so close that I could make absolutely certain 
with the naked ey© of its identity from its long log's) and neck, i.ts 
form ana the shape of its characteristic beak, and having glasses 
with me, I was able to make assuranjce doubly sure. 
ANSERID^ 
At least seven species of Ducks and Geese occur in the 
Gambia. Of these I know the first five well, hut have never met 
with the two last here. The general native mames for all mem- 
bers of this family are "Burro" — "Burro ha" (=^tig Duck) for 
the Geese — in Mandingo, and " Hankhel " or " Kanarr " in Joloff. 
The different species also have special names in both languages; 
of these in Mandingo I know " Biai-Sanyang," the Goose^Tfeal', 
and " Burro kur.'ngo " or "Wutcho," the Whistling Duck; and in 
Joloff, " Yita," a name by which both the Spurwing and Knnb- 
bill are known, " Kanarr ab degh " or " Liroy," the Goose-Teal and 
" Enen," the "Whistling Duck, 
