SPINY-TAILED DUCKS. 



401 



living in large sheets of saline waters and rivers, especially in the 

 vicinity of the sea. In such places they are generally seen in 

 small societies of five or six individuals, and mostly apart from 

 other races of water-birds. While swimming, their bodies are 

 entirely hidden beneath the surface of the water, nothing but the 

 head and neck being visible. Their form makes them very ex- 

 pert in diving, when seeking for the molluscous animals and fishes 

 which constitute their principal food. Their nest is a half-floating 

 cradle, constructed of reeds and other water-plants. 



Fig. 198.— The Ferruginous Spinv-tailed Duck {_E 



turn fet ruginea). 



A very characteristic species {Thalassiornis leuconotus) peculiar 

 to the southern parts of Africa is thus described by Dr. Andrew 

 Smith V "It is always, or at least generally, to be seen swimming 

 on the fresh-water lakes of the Cape Colony. It flies, but never 

 very far nor at any great height above the water ; indeed, its 

 wings during its progress often disturb the surface of the lake and 

 occasion a ripple behind it. It dives most vigorously, stops a long 

 time under water, and reappears at a considerable distance from 

 where it descends. Its power of sight is very great, hence it is 

 with difficulty shot, owing to its diving immediately it sees the 

 flash, and thus generally being under water before the deadly lead 



