QQ NATURE AND SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA 



The latter, witli its wonderful commingling of 

 metallic emerald-green and gold, is a much-coveted 

 trophy of the bird-hunter. 



The Trogons and some of the pigeons — especially 

 the Namaqua dove and the emerald-spotted dove — 

 are remarkable; and there are some notable forms 

 among the herons and kingfishers. 



Coursers and plovers form an interesting group, 

 and are found in plenty throughout the country. I 

 have touched upon those birds in chapters Vli. 

 and IX. 



Storks and cranes, flamingoes, pelicans, ibises, 

 coots, jacanas, rails, and many other water-loving 

 fowl, add to the abundant beauty and diversity of 

 the South African avi-fauna. The wildfowl alone — 

 those vast armies of duck, geese, widgeon, and teal, 

 which are to be found in countless flocks upon the 

 great water systems of the interior, and, during the 

 rains, at most of the vleys and waters scattered 

 about the whole country — are in themselves a source 

 of special delight for the naturalist. 



In truth, the bird life of South Africa is a vast and 

 almost inexhaustible subject, the outworks of which 

 have barely yet been penetrated. Here, indeed, 

 lies a rich and, as yet, very ill-explored field for the 

 lover of nature who can devote time and labour to 

 systematic and steady research. 



