30 Mr. 0. B. Ilorsbruoh on 



that it' these remarks were to appear in some Avicultural 

 Magazine I cannot but feel that such a periodical would be 

 the most appropriate medium for them ; these jtarticular birds 

 being in a state of domestication, and, doubtless, exhibiting 

 traits foreign to their wild relations on the veldt. 



The species which this article concerns is the Blue Knor- 

 haan (Otis cn'rulescens), a pair of which, as well-advanced 

 chicks, came into my brother's possession some five months 

 ago. They were purchased for him in the Bloemfontein 

 market for a trifling sum, and, since the day they were 

 obtained, have been given as much liberty as is consistent 

 with their safety. Last week they had a narrow escape, and 

 nearly shared the fate of a pair of young Spur-winged Geese 

 {Plectropterus gamhensls) destined for the Pretoria Zoo, which 

 met an untimely end through the attentions of a wretched 

 cur. For a little time every day they are allowed the freedom 

 of the garden, and, when they have sufficiently exercised their 

 wings and performed their weird dance, they then [)roceed to 

 enjoy a dust-bath. If, however, the hose-pipe happens to be 

 playing on the plants in the flower-beds they perhaps undergo 

 a slight bath in addition to their dry-cleaning process. They 

 then carefully preen their feathers in the sunshine and rest 

 themselves after their ablutions. Every evening they are 

 driven inside a large hen-house which has been erected in the 

 fowl-run solely for their acconniiodation : otherwise they 

 would speedily become the victims of prowling cats or dogs, 

 as did the unfortunate Geese which had no such refuge. To 

 ensure the safety of these interesting pets every possible pre- 

 caution has been taken ; the chief danger which might 

 threaten them at any time being perhaps in the shape of 

 a Crow or Hawk. Luckily these enemies are not very 

 plentiful, and a gun is always at hand sliould any appear. 

 Knorhaans are uncommon birds to keep in captivity, and of 

 the numerous visitors who have inspected them, all state that 

 they have never heard of this species having been successfully 

 kept in confinement before. It is only this month (August) 

 that I have seen this Knorhaan as a wild bird, but, owing to 

 its shyness, I could make no comparison between them and 



