328 BIRDS OF DAM ABA LAND. 



large numbers on open sheets of water, where they 

 might easily be mistaken for a flock of Ducks, except 

 that they do not " pack " like wild fowl. 



If disturbed, they will sometimes, if near a reedy 

 brake, seek safety by hiding there ; but more frequently 

 they have recourse to their wings, when they exhibit 

 great powers of flight. 



They build their nests of, and amongst, reeds, rushes, 

 and grasses, usually selecting the most retired spots, 

 though I have also found their nests in most exposed 

 situations. A few old reed-stalks serve as a footing for 

 the nest, which is roughly but firmly constructed, and is 

 raised, though sometimes only a few inches, above the 

 surface of the water. 



The eggs are from seven to ten in number, of a buff' 

 colour, freely speckled with minute spots of pale brown, 

 with larger spots at wider intervals. The young birds 

 follow their parents very soon after being hatched. 



PARRID^. 



380. Parra africana, Gmel. Greater African Jaoana. 



Parra africana, Swainson's Zool. 111. (2nd series), pi. 6. 



,, ,, Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soo. 1864, p. 3. 



„ „ Layard's Cat. No. 626. 



Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 781. 



I have never seen this curious species in Great 

 Namaqua Land ; and it is a comparatively scarce bird in 

 Damara Land, but pretty common on the rivers 



