Legs strong and rather short; tarsi scutellated anteriorly, the scuta most
distinct towards the toes ; lower half of tibise naked; claws long, straight and
pointed.
DIMENSIONS.
Length from the point of the bill
. the tip of the tail...........
Inches.
to
... 1 3
Length of the outer toe...............
of the middle toe.............
Inches.
11
4
4
Length of the bill from the gape... ... <0 H of the inner to e .............. 1 3
of the wings when folded.. 3 9 of the hinder toe............. .... 0 6
of the tail........ ....... .......... 1 10 . of the hinder claw........... 0 a
of the tarsus........................ 1 5 of the other claws, about. .... 0 6
We have only met with one individual of this species, and that we strongly suspect to be in
immature plumage : the whole of the interscapulars, back and upper tail coverts are probably
brilliant metallic purple in adult birds. It was killed, while seeking for its food, upon some
water-plants which coated the surface of a small river near to Algoa Bay.
P a r r a A fr ic a n a is the only other species of the group which has yet been found in
Southern Africa: it never ranges so far to the westward as the Cape Colony, though it is often
found to the Westward of Port Natal.