PURPLE WATERHEN. 79 



markets of this country. Erhardt says in his remarks 

 upon it, that its appearance in Greece is very limited, 

 and that it is only known with certainty that it comes 

 to the lake of Dystos, on the Island of Euboa, and 

 the lake of Kopai. I have at all times had similar 

 accounts from sportsmen, but I have never yet seen 

 one wild." With these remarks he leaves the question 

 still open for further enquiry. 



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 commonly 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, ("Ibis," vol. ii, p. 159,) in one of 



