Neck, and all the upper plumage, black, glossed with purple on the back; cheeks, throat, and under parts, white: bill and legs red.

PlectropterusGambensis, Steph. in Shams Gen. Zool. vol. XII. part ii. p. 6. pi. 36. Spur-winged Goose, Lath. Syn. vol. iii. p.452. pl. 102. Bew. Brit. Birds; vol. ii. p. 296.

Dimensions

Size of the Common Goose, but standing higher on its legs: length of the bill more than two inches. Lath.

Description

Upper part of the head and neck dingy brown; ear-coverts, and sides of the throat, white, spotted with brown; the lower part of the neck, sides of the breast, and all the upper plumage, appear black, but this colour is lost, particularly in the scapulars and tertials, which are most resplendently bronzed and glossed with brilliant green, and most of the outer webs of the other feathers partake of the same hue: on the bend of the wing or wrist a strong white horny spur, turning upwards, about five-eighths of an inch (Latham says an inch and a half) in length, and pointing rather inwards: the whole of the edges of the wing, from the alula spuria to the elbow and shoulder, white: all the under parts the same: hill reddish yellow: legs and toes somewhat longer than those of the Wild Goose; of a red or orange-yellow. Bew. (Egg). Unknown.

A single individual of this rare species, shot near St Germain's, Cornwall, June 20th, 1821, is now in the Newcastle Museum. No other has hitherto occurred in this country. Inhabits Gambia, and other parts of Africa. Habits and nidification unknown.