12 NATUHE AND SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA 



francolins much more numerous. The species so 

 abundant in this valley were red-billed francolins 

 (Francolmus adspersus), first discovered by Sir 

 James Alexander on his expedition through Great 

 Namaqualand in 1836. These birds are usually 

 found in coveys of from eight to twelve ; they are 

 never far from water, and their presence is an un- 

 failing indication of that precious element. The 

 grassy kopjes here teemed with these francolins ; the 

 only difficulty was to find them and put them up. 

 The " partridges " and " pheasants " of South Africa 

 lie much more closely than do their cousins of 

 England; and as scent in this dry country is poor 

 and catchy, they often succeed in completely baffling 

 the man with the shot-gun. I heard Dove's and 

 ^lackay's guns going two or three times, and knew 

 they were at work. In a little while Don had nosed 

 out a covey for me. A single bird got up within 

 easy range, and fell to my right barrel. 



My pointer drew on rapidly ; it was evident that 

 the birds were running in front, in search of thicker 

 covert. In spite of my rather frantic protests, Don 

 now makes a dash, and three or four more francolins 

 rise and fly a short distance to some thick bush near 

 the summit of the low hill. To this I make my way. 

 Don is admonished, and then starts hunting again. 

 These red-billed francolins are, in the thick bush in 

 which they love to hide themselves, almost im- 



