Cunning in Leaving Nest 155 
and of my keeping a sharp look out, we never saw her leave it 
and she took wing from a point just 23 yards (measured) from one 
side of it. I imagine she saw us when a long way off and stepping 
off the nest ran out to a flank and crouched, with the distinct 
purpose (in the event of her being forced to take wing, as actually 
occurred) of misleading us as to the position of her nest. 
When alarmed, as for example, when suddenly disturbed from 
off its nest, it utters a loud guttural rattling cry, somewhat similar to 
that of a grouse calling in early morning and even more like that 
oOo 
g 
given by the Bustard which we came across on the veldt between 
the Orange and the Modder Rivers during the eventful days of 
November, 1899. 
