340 BIRDS OF DAMABA LAND. 



This is the commonest Duck in Damara and Great 

 Namaqua Land, where it is found throughout the year ; 

 and it also abounds on most of the waters to the north- 

 ward. I met with several of its nests in Ondonga in the 

 months of February and March ; the largest number of 

 eggs contained in any of these nests was ten. This species 

 is usually observed in flocks, and, where not previously 

 disturbed, is not very shy or difficult to obtain. Its flesh 

 is excellent. 



The iris is brown ; the legs, toes, and webs blackish 

 purple ; the upper mandible is dark purple, faintly tinged 

 with green upon the ridge, the remainder of the mandible 

 above the edge being pinkish; the lower mandible is 

 bluish pink. 



391. Nettion hottentota (Smith). Hottentot Teal. 



Querguedtda hottentota, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 105. 

 Querquedula hottentotta, Layard's Cat. No. 657. 



„ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 422. 



Nettion hottentota, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 10662. 



This is a rare Duck in Damara and Great Namaqua 

 Land. I procured more individuals at Omanbonde than 

 at any other locality ; several specimens have also been 

 brought from the Lake-country. 



The iris is reddish yellow ; the bill bluish red, except 

 at the base, where it is black ; the legs are purplish 

 yellow. 



Measurements of a male and a female : — 



