Eii'j-Colleft'uHi in the BushvelJ. 17 



The Nortlierii Red-necked Pheasant (^Pternistes sicalnsoni) 

 is common in the thicker patches of thorn-scrub and in the 

 pan ; but nothing was learned about its nesting habits. 

 Mr. F. 0. Noome and I found this species at least five 

 miles from water, on a dry sandy ridge, and it does not 

 necessarily occur only near the streams, as has been stated 

 by some writers. 



The Swem])e {Fraiicolimts coqu'i) is the commonest species 

 of Francolin in the bushveld, and is usually flushed in 

 covej's of four or five. Its call has already been noted 

 as being heard at daybreak. During the daytime this 

 sounds like " Quek-queh, quek-queh." A member of the 

 F. levaillanti group was met with on stony ground, but 

 specimens were not procured. 



African White-backed Vulture {Pseudogyps africanus). — 

 This species nested some years ago in tall trees some ten 

 miles to the west of the pan ; but when Mr. Noome and I 

 visited the place in September 1911 we found that the nests 

 were deserted. At the time they were found nesting there, 

 a number of young ones were taken in October and kept 

 alive in the Zoological Gardens for five or six years ; but 

 they did not assume the typical adult (grey) plumage. Our 

 trip was made to prove whether these represented a different 

 species or not ; but, as already stated, it was not a success, 

 owing to the departure of the birds. 



The Secretary Bird {Serpentarms secretarhis) is fairly 

 common in the more open parts of the bushveld. It nests 

 on the top of low thorn-trees, which have tangled tops or 

 are covered with creepers. Eggs are laid in September, 

 and during incubation the bird sits very close, often not 

 flying off even when stones are thrown at the nest. 



The Chanting Goshawk {Melierax canorus) occurs in the 

 more open parts not far from the pan. It is usually found 

 in pairs, perched on trees within sight of each other, and is 

 80 wary that specimens can be procured with a shotgun with 

 difficulty. 



VOL. IX. 2 



