48 PUBPLE WATEBHEN. 



fight it shows itself and plunges down not very far away from home, 

 which enables the hunter to capture it. I am therefore, contrary to 

 common opinion, not inclined to believe that it is a skilful swimmer. 

 It only flies rarely, and when it wishes to pass from one point to 

 another, or if when persecuted it has no other way of escape, while 

 when it can it either dives or buries itself in the thick reeds. It 

 loves solitude, and is of a mild and timid nature. It is easily do- 

 mesticated, and will keep among fowls, and as these are nourished by 

 corn, when it is given anything larger it takes it up in its feet and 

 so feeds itself. I have kept several of these birds. They deposit their 

 eggs, from two to four, without constructing any nest, among the 

 high plants in the middle of the water or in its vicinity. In February 

 or March it incubates. In April the young are born and are covered 

 with a bluish black wool. The beak and frontal plate and feet white. 

 Directly they are born they walk about the nest and begin to feed. 



When in Syracuse I had one only two or three days old, which 

 uttered a flexible and uninterrupted sound like the chicks of the Gallina. 

 In September and October many are taken, the greater part young, 

 in the neighbourhood of Catania, with nets which are similar to the 

 bow nets used by fishermen. 



In the north of Africa, it is reported in the Eastern Atlas by 

 Mr. Salvin, in the "Ibis," vol. i, p. 361, who speaks of it thus: — 

 " This magnificent species is common at Zana, where it keeps very 

 much out of sight, under cover of the taller reeds. It is, I believe, 

 in the habit of destroying the Ducks' nests wherever it can get an 

 opportunity." 



Mr. Tristram ("Ibis," vol. ii, p. 80,) says, "Scarce at Tuggurt, 

 more abundant in the northern lakes (of Africa.) In corroboration 

 of its carnivorous character, I may mention that I saw one in the 

 yard of General Yussuf, seize a young duckling in its huge foot, 

 and crush its head with its bill, after which it ate the brains, and 

 left the rest of the carcase untouched." 



It is mentioned by Schlegel as occurring on the borders of the 

 Caspian Sea. Brisson and the older writers say that it occurs com- 

 monly in India. 



According to the general report of naturalists this bird feeds upon 

 corn and the seeds of aquatic plants, and upon fruits, molluscs, and 

 fish. That it is not limited in its range of food may be inferred 

 from the carnivorous exploits recorded by Mr. Salvin and Mr. Tristram, 

 and quoted above. 



It nests either among the herbage of marshy ground, even when 

 surrounded by water, or in the dry ground near. Mr. Tristram, 



