Inches.
Length from the point of the bill to. the
base of the tail........................ 12 6
of the bill to the angle of the
mouth ............................ 2 0
of the tail..................................... 3 6
■wings when folded ....... 6 6
Inches. Linea.
Length of the tarsus ........................... 1 3
outer toe, without nail... 2 6
middle toe, do. ... 2 4
inner toe, do. ... 1 8
hinder toe, do. ... 0 8
DIMENSIONS.
P late CIX. a.—F emale.
The upper and lateral parts of the head umber-brown, each feather
narrowly tipped with yellowish brown, the sides of the head crossed with
a distinct white b a r; back and sides of neck towards head greyish white
freckled with light brown ; part of neck towards body, interscapulars, back,
rump, upper tail coverts, and scapulars umber-brown, the feathers finely
barred and tipped with sienna yellow; shoulder coverts and primary,
secondary, and tertiary quill feathers pale umber-brown, the shoulder coverts
and the tertiary quill feathers powdered with sienna-yellow. Chin and sides
of head inferiorly clear white; throat and breast umber-brown, all the
feathers tipped broadly with sienna-yellow. Belly, vent, and under tail
coverts rusty white, clouded or freckled with umber-brown; each feather
towards its base being of the latter colour. Tail feathers brownish red ; bill
bluish green.
P late CIX. b.— Y oung M ale.
The male bird before he begins to acquire any of the colours characteristic
of his sex exhibits those of the female. As the change advances the colours
of the one sex yield to those of the other, and in the specimen represented
in the plate, it will be seen, the colour of the plumage is nearly intermediate
between that of a female and a mature and properly coloured male.
Inhabits lakes and rivers having a weak current, and banks edged with reeds. It is far
from being a common bird, either in the Colony or in the country beyond it. I obtained specimens
only at Verlom Vley, about 100 miles to the north-west of Cape Town, and at the mouth
of the Orange River. At the latter, I procured a female only; at the other locality, six or
seven males. During a residence of ten days at Verlorn Vley, I never'saw a female; therefore
presumed they were sitting on their eggs at the time, and only left them to feed during
the night. The males were abundant, but exceedingly shj', and were only to be seen by a
person concealed in the reeds; as from the latter,- to which they generally resorted, they never
issued into the open water when they were aware of the existence of any danger. While swimming,
the head, the neck, and the surface of the back only are above the water; it seldom
attempts to fly, but dives with great readiness, continues occasionally for a long time under
water, rises at a great distance from where it descends, and so it generally makes its escape.
OXYURA MACC OA. A.’Female, B. young Male .
Avos . Plate 109.