TANTALin^. 299 



startled by their dinning noise as we surprised them in 

 their reedy resorts, or as we passed, at a sudden turn of 

 the river, under one of their roosting-places, which had 

 been previously hidden from our view. 



This Ibis builds on trees overhanging the water ; the 

 nest is constructed of rough sticks, superficially lined 

 with fibrous roots, tendrils, and grasses, and is so slightly 

 depressed above that the hollow is barely sufiicient to 

 admit the eggs and to prevent them from falling out. 



It is said that these birds, when not disturbed, will 

 nest in the same tree for several successive seasons. 



The iris is dark brown ; the bill black, except on the 

 ridge and along the lateral depression, which are bright 

 carmine ; the legs and toes are dull red. 



SCOLOPACID^ 



352. Numenius arquatus (Linn.). Common Curlew. 



Numenms arquatus, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 302. 



„ „ Layard's Oat. No. 607. 



Nurnerdus arqiiata, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 419. 



The Common Curlew is sparingly met with in the 

 interior of Damara and Great Namaqua Land, but is 

 more frequent along the coast and on the islands. It is 

 most commonly seen in pairs, but at times in small 

 flocks. It is an exceedingly wary bird, and, from the 

 open character of the localities it frequents, often defies 

 the efibrts of the sportsman. 



It loves flat marshy lands and the open sea-beach, 



