The Journal of the South African Ornithologists' Union

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Journ. S.A.O.U., Vol. II. Pl. IV.
Photo by L. E. Taylor, Irene. Nest and Eggs of Anas sparsa (Black Duck).
620. Anas sparsa. (Black Duck.) The Black Duck is found here sparingly. A pair nested on an islet in the middle of the dam here in July 1905; the nest, which contained eleven eggs, was concealed in some rushes and built on the ground about 2 feet above the water. The photograph which forms the accompanying illustration was taken two days before the eggs were hatched.
The Journal of the South African Ornithologists' Union. Vol. II. December 1906. No. 2. Lionel E. Taylor, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Plate IV.)
THE following notes, which are the result of two years' close observation of the birds of Irene, may, I trust, be of interest. The small township of Irene is situated in the Transvaal, 10 miles south of Pretoria, on the main line to Johannesburg (lat. 25° 52'.8 S., long. 28° 13'.3 E., altitude 4800 feet). The country presents the usual features of the High Veld, being almost bare of trees, with the exception of a Eucalyptus plantation, a few clumps of scattered Acacias, and the indigenous trees which skirt the river. The Hennops rivulet passing through the Irene Estate flows in a N.W. direction to the Crocodile River. It is up this comparatively well-wooded water valley which the few subtropical birds, which appear in the following list, make their way. With these few exceptions the birds enumerated are typical High Veld species. I have confined the list to birds obtained within a radius of four miles from Irene Railway Station, this excluding the immediate neighbourhood of Pretoria, which, lying almost on the border line of the High Veld and Bush Veld, presents features more closely resembling the latter.
There are no large dams or vleis in the vicinity, and although the Hennops River is a perennial stream, there is a marked absence of water birds and waders. The Accipiters are poorly represented here, being much more plentiful immediately the range of hills directly south of Pretoria is passed. My thanks are due to Mr. W. L. Sclater and Dr. J. B. Gunning for having assisted me in the identification of those specimens of which I was in doubt. The numbers prefixed to the species referred to are, where applicable, those given in Sclater's "Check-list of the Birds of South Africa" [Annals South African Museum, vol. iii. part viii. no. 9]. The actual specimens referred to by date or in detail are in my own collection. This paper was written mainly in November and December 1905.
Identifier: journalofsouthaf12sout (find matches)
Title: The Journal of the South African Ornithologists' Union
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: South African Ornithologists' Union
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Pretoria
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ortant contribution to African Ornithology. Three hundred and thirty species are referred to, many of which are familiar in the Southern portion of the Continent. 2. On a small Collection of Birds from the Wadi-en-Natrun, Egypt, by W. L. S. Loat, F.Z.S. 3. On further Collections of Birds from the Efulen District of Camaroon, West Africa, by R. Bowdler Sharpe, Lli.D., with Notes by the Collector, G. L. Bates. (12) In the October (1905) number of The Ibis the following paper relating to African Ornithology appears:— On a Collection of Birds from Somaliland, by Harry F. Witherby, with Field-notes by the Collector, Cai)tain A. E. Hamerton, R.A.M.C, D.S.O.—This article describes a collection of skins made by Captain Hamerton whilst on active service with the Somaliland Field Force in 1903-4. A large number of the specimens were obtained in Eastern Somaliland, which is but little known, and the collection, although small, contains several new forms. VOL. II. JcuRN. S. A. O. U., Vol. II. PL. IV.
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riioto by L. E. Taylor, )n-in-. Nest and Esr^s of ANAS SPARSA Black Duck THE JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION. Vol. II. DECEMBER 1906. No. 2. XVIT.— The Birds of Irene, near Pretoria, Transvaal. By Lionel E. Taylor, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Plate IV.) The following notes, which are the result of two years close observation of the birds of Irene, may, I trust, be of interest. The small township of Irene is situated in the Transvaal, 10 miles south of Pretoria, on the main line to Johannesburg (lat. 25° 52-8 S., long. 28° 13-3 E., altitude 4800 feet). The country presents the usual features of the High Veld, being almost bare of trees, with the exception of a Eucalyptus plantation, a few clumps of scattered Acacias, and the indigenous trees which skirt the river. The Hennops rivulet passing through the Irene Estate flows in a N.W. direction to the Crocodile River. It is up this comparatively well-wooded water valley which the few subtropical birds, which appear in the following list

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