several hundred yards, squatting at intervals, but all the time keeping
a careful watch on its approaching enemy.
Captain Trevelyan writes to u s:—“ Layard says that the Knorhaan
is abundant throughout the whole colony. There are none about
Kingwilliamstown; but about twenty-one miles from Grahamstown,
on the Dikkop Flats and all along the valley of the Fish River,
except where the bush is too thick for them, they are in fair
numbers/’
Mr. Ayres writes that during Mr. Jameson’s expedition to
Mashoona Land, none were met with to the north of Mangwato;
but southward they became more and more numerous, and on the
Moloppo and Hart Rivers they were very plentiful. Mr. Andersson
observes:—“ I have frequently met with this bird to the south of
the Orange River, and at no great distance from i t ; but I have
never met with it to the north of that stream.”
Top of head, back, part of wings, and tail, brownish black, varying
in intensity, and crossed with irregular streaks of rufous, paling
into white; stripe over the eye, reaching to the back of the head,
ear-coverts, half-collar on back of neck, and part of wings, pure
white; the rest of the plumage deep black; legs bright yellow.
Length, 19"; wing, 12"; tail, 5". The female differs from the male
in having the whole of the head, neck, and breast of the same colour
and markings as the back.
The soft parts are given by Mr. Ayres :—“Male.—Iris dusky
tawny brown; bill homy ash at the tip, yellowish at base; tarsi and
feet yellow. Female.—Iris light hazel; bill brownish horn-colour;
tarsi and feet as in the male.”
Fig. Lath. Gen. Syn. B. pi. 69.
615. O t is a fro id e s , Smith. White-quilled Bustard.
Fupodotis afroides, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 287.
According to Sir Andrew Smith, this Bustard frequents the
country to the north of the Orange River, and is rarely seen south
of it. Its call differs considerably from that of 0. afra, but in most
of its habits they closely resemble each other. Dr. Exton has sent
us eggs which differ in no way from those of 0. afra. Mr. Ayres
writes:—“ These fine birds are only to be found in the upper
districts of Natal, and not plentifully. In the Free State and
Transvaal they, are, however, very plentiful. The male birds are
very noisy, uttering notes something like ‘ knock-me-down, knock -
me-down;’ and their apparent wishes are very often acceded to.
These Bustards are somewhat wary, and are not always easy of
approach in the open country; they, however, prefer land well-
studded with thorn-bush, and there they are more easily got at.
They generally run, on the appearance of danger, with great
swiftness, and hide in the long grass. In the morning and evening
they are often to be seen sunning themselves, perched- on some
ant-heap.”
Mr. T. E. Buckley states that it is common throughout the north
of the Transvaal. “ During the breeding season the male flies about
making a most peculiar noise, something like a small drum being
beaten with one stick.”
Mr. Andersson observes:—“ This is perhaps the most common
Bustard in both Great Namaqua Land and Damara Land. On
taking wing or when disturbed the male becomes outrageously noisy
and will rise vertically and to a great height, often descending as
abruptly. This is a great nuisance to the hunter, who is frequently
done out of his quarry by the Bustard’s sudden and noisy
apparition.”
Adult.—Resembles the preceding in every respect, except the one
great distinguishing mark, viz.: on opening the wings the quill-
feathers of this species will be found with a large blaze of white
on them, while those of F. afra are entirely black. Mr. Ayres gives
the following soft parts :—
Male.—Irides dusky, tawny on the outer edge; bill ashy at the
tip, the ridge dusky, base and gape reddish pink; tarsi and feet
yellow. In the immature birds the irides are hazel.
Fig. Smith, 111. Zool. S. Afr. pi. 19.
616. O t is r u e p pe l l i, Wahlb. RiippelPs Bustard.
This is a bird of South-Western Africa. Mr. Andersson writes: —
“ This species is plentiful in Great Namaqua Land and is not
uncommon in some of the more open parts of Southern Damara
Land; it is partial to slightly undulating ground abounding in
boulders and loose stones, and is usually found in pairs. When
disturbed it utters a succession of quick harsh notes, and crows not
unlike a Corncrake on taking wing, but in a much louder strain.”
Mr. Monteiro, whose specimen was described as a new species by
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