DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, HABITS 



pink iridescence. The foreneck and chest are slaty-blue with 

 a patch of tawny on either side. Rest of lower surface is white. 

 Iris light brown. Bill yellowish. Legs and feet yellowish- 

 white. 



Lengthy 21.0 ; wing, 11.5 ; tail, 5.0. 

 The male and female are alike in plumage. 



Distribution. — This knorhaan extends from the central 

 part of the Cape to the Transvaal. It is common in the 

 northern parts of Natal. 



Habits. — Barrow's knorhaan is usually found in small 

 parties. It is a very wild bird, and is most difficult to approach. 

 It has a very harsh cry which it emits chiefly during flight. 

 Its food consists for the most part of insects, such as grasshoppers, 

 locusts, beetles, and termites. Like other bustards it builds no 

 nest, but lays its eggs, which are 2 in number, in open country 

 under the shelter of a tuft of grass. The eggs vary so much in 

 colour and markings that no definite description of the colour 

 can be stated. 



Blacksmith Plover {Hoplopterus armatiis). (Vol. II., 

 p. 288.) 



Description. — Male : crown and forehead white, a large 

 patch forming a collar at the base of the neck. Under wing 

 coverts, upper and under tail coverts, sides of body, and abdomen 

 white. Sides of face, back part of the crown, ear coverts, 

 chin, throat, breast, mantle, and parapteral plumes black. The 

 upper scapulars, wing coverts, and inner secondaries lavender- 

 grey. Primary coverts and wing quills black. Tail feathers 

 white at base and black on tip. Outer tail feathers have less 

 black. Basal half of tail white, and terminal half black. The 

 outer feathers have less black and a white tip. Iris carmine. 

 Bill black. Feet and legs black, A short carpal spur. 



Length.^ 12.0 ; wing, 8.3 ; tail, 3.5. 



Distribution. — This plover is very uncommon south of the 

 Orange River. Further north, however, in the Orange Free 



185 



