48 Dr. E. Symonds on the 



the late Mr. Edwards, of Dreifontein, Dist. Heilbron, O.E.C. 

 (a good sportsman), told me he had shot one which weighed 

 over 30 lbs. 



696. Otis cafra. (Stanley Bustard.) 



This bird is fairly common in this district at certain times 

 of the year, especially in August, when the veldt has been 

 burnt. They require a very good shot to kill them outright. 

 I remember killing three one afternoon, with a Martini-Henri 

 rifle : two dropped stone-dead, but the third, raked through 

 from stern to bow, flew about 1000 yards and then fell dead. 



694. Otis vigorsi, (Vaal Knorhaan.) 



This Bustard is common here, and easily shot if one only 

 circle round with the eye fixed on the spot where it squatted. 

 If that spot is lost, the odds are that the bird will be lost. 

 The beautiful pink tinge of the underparts is very interesting, 

 as the colouring fades quickly after death. 



699. Otis c^rulescbns. (Blue Knorliaan.) 

 We have many of these fine birds, especially on certain 

 farms. On one large block of ground, where the White- 

 tailed Gnu still roams, they were very numerous, as old 

 Piet Terblans would allow you to shoot a Wildebeest for 

 money, but you were not allowed to shoot a " Blaauw Knor- 

 haan." Having often shot on his farm as long ago as 1880, 

 I knew his peculiarity ; and the birds were fairly plentiful. 

 Why are they almost always found in threes and fives ? 

 They are often easy of approach by circling round them, and 

 if one is dropped and left on the ground the others will not 

 go far away, and one can bag the three or five if only the 

 gun is held straight. 



692. Otis afroidis. (White-quilled Knorhaan.) 

 This is our commonest Bustard and affords good sport, but 

 will ruin dogs by its running propensities, and if winged or 

 wounded in long grass is most difficult to find and bag. 



