PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS 257 



of a pale brown spotted and blotched with purplish and 

 reddish-brown. 



The Eed- knobbed Coot or Bles Hoender (Fidica cristata) 

 is of a general dark ash-brown or sooty colour throughout, 

 darker (almost black) on the head and neck, and paler 

 (greyish) on the abdomen. Bill and facial shield pale blue, 

 the knobs of the shield being dark red. Length, 16 to 17 

 inches. 



It is widely spread throughout South Africa, wdierever 

 suitable localities occur. It may be found on vleis, rivers 

 and dams, in companies of varying number. On the vleis 

 of the Orange Free State, it is sometimes so numerous, 

 consorting with wild duck, spur- wing geese, and other water- 

 fowl, that the surface of the water is literally black with the 

 birds ! It flies well and is an expert diver. It feeds in the 

 morning and towards sunset, on insects, weed seeds and 

 plant shoots. It has two curious calls, the one a trumpet- 

 like grunt, and the other a shrill vibrating whistle. 



Contrary to Bry den's experience, we found this bird 

 anything but good eating, the flesh usually being of a muddy 

 and fishy flavour. However, if young, and if the skin is 

 removed before cooking, it is fairly palatable. 



It builds its nest amongst the rushes and reeds ; this 

 is merely a platform of aquatic plants resting on the water. 

 The eggs are three to seven in number, and of a pale tawny 

 colour spotted with blackish-brown. We found it breeding 

 in some number on the Florida Lake, near Johannesburg, 

 during August. 



PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS 



The little Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris) is 

 called the Strand-looper (Shore-runner) in most parts of the 

 country, and is found almost everywhere within our limits. 



