Transvaal and Umzeilla's Country. 61 



These pretty little Doves are generally scarce^ and only to 

 be found singly or in pairs ; but about the Mashupan river 

 I found them rather plentiful^ and on one occasion saw as 

 many as seven together ; they are usually found near the 

 edge of the bush skirting the rivers. They search for their 

 food on the ground, settling, if disturbed, on some low tree 

 or bush. They are most difficult birds to seej I have met 

 with them in the Rustenberg district. 



[Although the specimen sent was obtained beyond the 

 Transvaal boundary, I include the species in the Transvaal 

 lists, as having been observed by Mr. W. Ayres in the 

 Rustenberg district. — J. H. G.] 



Francolinus pileatus. Smith. Pileated Francolin. 



Male, shot May 1855, at Lehtaba river-drift. 



These Francolins inhabit the thick bush on the river-banks, 

 but are not very plentiful ; when frightened they stick their 

 tails straight up and erect their head-feathers, which gives 

 them a crested appearance. 



Francolinus subtorquatus. Smith. Cogni Francolin, 

 Female, shot May 1885, at Lehtaba river-drift. 

 These birds are fairly plentiful, frequenting the open bush- 

 country, where they are found in coveys, varying from five 

 or six in number to a dozen ; they lie very close, and, except 

 with a good dog, are difficult to flush. 



401. Otis c^rulescens, Vieill. Blue-breasted Bustard. 



Male, shot 6th April, 1885, between Potchefstroom and 

 Middelburg (Transvaal) . 



I met with eight or ten of these birds near Klip river- 

 drift, but only succeeded in bagging two of them. This is 

 the only spot in the Transvaal, I believe, where these Bustards 

 are to be found ; but I killed some, many years ago, at 

 Rhinoster river, in the Free State. They are found in pairs 

 or in small companies of five or six, and, as a rule, are not 

 so shy as the other Bustards ; if you walk round them, 

 gradually decreasing the distance, they will squat and allow 

 you to get within shot. They are found in quite open veldts. 



