459 
Mr. E. Newton's Second Visit to Madagascar . 
The colours of the beak, frontal plate, and legs were exceedingly 
bright when the bird was fresh. 
Iris red; frontal plate pea-green; beak and legs bright scarlet. 
I 77. Fulica cristata, Gmelin. 
“ Oetrikia.” 
Mr. Caldwell obtained specimens of this species near the ca¬ 
pital, where it is common. 
78. Phcenicopterus -? sp. indet. 
I was told by a trader of Ecule Point that a Flamingo was 
killed there some five years previously. 
79. Nettapus auritus (Boddaert). 
“ Voroncoua.” 
I met with it at Fenerive. In the adult male the iris is dark 
brown, bill bright yellow, nail black, feet black. In a younger 
specimen the bill was only yellowish, and the hinder part of the 
tarsi and outer edge of the outer toes the same. Unlike most 
other Ducks, the trachea of the male in this species is of a very 
simple form, there being scarcely any enlargement whatever at 
the lower extremity. 
80. Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus). 
“ Tsiri-tsiri,” on the coast. 
This is the only species of Duck 1 have seen wild in Mauritius; 
but here it has been undoubtedly introduced, large quantities 
being brought over alive from Madagascar in nearly every bul¬ 
lock-ship. In its habits, when kept in confinement, this and 
D. arcuata are far more domestic than any other Ducks with 
which I am acquainted. Long after their wings are grown (the 
feathers having been pulled out), they will remain in the little 
yards in which they have been confined, even though they be 
in the middle of the town of Port Louis,—a very small pond, the 
society of domestic Ducks and Geese, and, I presume, regular 
meals being apparently sufficient causes to make them remain. 
Occasionally they will take a short flight in the evening, but re¬ 
turn before the next day. This practice they will continue for 
months, and it is only the desire for a more quiet spot for nest¬ 
ing that induces them to forsake their quarters. 
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