P. K. Venner—My Birds



169



The general colouring of this bird is light chestnut brown with dark

brown centre spots. Head grey streaked with black. The bill, which is

noticeably long, dark olive green. Legs and feet orange red. Egg pale

buff.


Introduced into England some few years ago.


8. Australian Grey Duck (A. superciliosa ).—The common

Wild Duck of Australia and New Zealand. Throat and two superciliary

eye stripes (one below and one above the eye), clear buff. Best of

plumage blackish grey relieved by paler margins to most of the feathers.

Legs and feet stone colour, webs blackish. Bill olive blue. A very

pleasing and hardy bird which is plentiful in England at the present

time.


9. Polynesian Grey Duck (Anas superciliosa var. ?).—A grey

form of the last species. Slightly larger in size, paler in colour and

noticeable by the buff of the head being replaced by grey and the lower

eye stripe being wanting.


10. Black Duck (Anas eparsa ).—Another Mallard which has

already been brought to Europe, but which is extremely rare in

collections of waterfowl is the African Black Duck. This bird is quite

distinct from the American Black Duck. Boughly it has a general dark

grey plumage with, or with indications of, a white neck ring. The

lower back is also ornamented by a sprinkling of white spots. In the

wild state it is said to be of an unsociable disposition and to frequent-

streams in preference to open water. In captivity it does well but

proves quarrelsome.



MY BIRDS


Bev. P. K. Venner


I felt that a short article on my collection—such as it is—would

not be out of place, as it is some time (I think) since I have seen any

accounts of this nature other than breeding successes (or the reverse).

As regards the latter, I have at present not much room for breeding,

having done what so many people do—that is, crowded up my aviaries



