154 THE BIRDS OF RIVER AND VLEI 



The King Keed-Hen (Porpkyrio porpliyrio) is olive- 

 green above ; back of the head, breast and belly purple- 

 blue ; face, throat and upper breast blue. Frontal shield 

 red. Length 18 inches. 



This handsome bird is a denizen of the thick reed- 

 beds and arum-patches, where it lies concealed the best 

 part of the day, searching for its food, which consists 

 of shoots of plants, seeds, worms, &c., in the mornings 

 and evenings. It breeds amongst the reeds, usually 

 placing its nest on a platform of reed-stems, and laying 

 from four to eight eggs of a pale brown, spotted and 

 blotched with purplish and reddish-brown. 



The Ked-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) is of a general 

 dark ash-colour throughout, darker (almost black) on the 

 head and neck, and paler (greyish) on the abdomen. Bill 

 and shield pale blue, the knobs of the shield being dark 

 red. 



It is. widely spread throughout South Africa, wherever 

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

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

 of the Orange River Colony, 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 Bryden'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 



