COURSES S 



219 



There are five varieties of Coursers in South Africa, birds 

 which are locally called " Draverkies " {lit. Trotters). 



They have long legs, no hind toe, long pointed wings and 

 a short square tail. 



The Kufous Courser {Cursorius rufus) is reddish-brown 

 above, back of head slate-blue surrounded by a U-shaped 



Fig. 120. — Rufous Courser, with egg. 



edging of white which springs from above the eye, and 

 runs between two black lines. Breast similar to the back 

 with a black patch on the lower portion, rest of under- 

 pays white. Length, 8| inches. 



This species ranges from the high veld of the Cape through- 

 out South Africa to the Limpopo. It is very common on 

 the flats of the Orange Free State, where it may be found 

 in flocks or small parties, often consorting with the Two- 

 banded Courser. It is exceedingly partial to the burnt 

 stretches of veld, where it feeds on seeds and insects. It is 



