282 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



Damara Land amongst the long rank grasses growing 

 about a temporary rain-pool. I have more than once 

 received the bill of this species from my hunting friends, 

 several of whom have told me that they occasionally 

 meet with these birds; and the Rev. C. H. Hahn, a 

 most excellent authority, informs me that, when sta- 

 tioned at New Barmen, he twice saw this species in that 

 locality. 



[I have noticed, in ' The Ibis ' for 1862 (loc. cit.), the singular 

 fact that in this Stork and in its eastern congener, Xenorhynchus 

 indicus, the colour of the iris differs in the two sexes, just as it 

 does in the Harriers amongst the birds of prey, being pale 

 yellow in the male bird and dark brown in the female. ED.] 



330. LeptoptilllS cnimenifeniS, Cuv. African Marabou Stork. 



Ciconia argala, Temminck's PI. Col. pi. 301. 



Adjutant, Baines's South-west Africa, p. 337, pi. 



Leptoptilus crumeniferus, Layard's Cat. No. 599. 



Ciconia marabou, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 418. 



Leptoptilos crumeniferus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 10194. 



This species is met with in Damara Land during the 

 rainy months, at which season it is also frequent in 

 Ondonga ; and it is abundant at Lake Ngami throughout 

 the year. It is usually seen in flocks, sometimes upon 

 the ground, and at others perched on trees. It will 

 remain for hours in the same position, with one foot 

 drawn up under its body ; and a number of individuals 

 seen in this attitude through the fantastic medium of a 

 mirage present a singular and ludicrous appearance. 



It is a true scavenger bird, feeding on carrion, as well 

 as on the most offensive offal ; but it also captures living 

 prey, such as fish, tortoises, and snakes. 



