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NUMIDA CORONATA. 583 
Limpopo to the Bamangwato district, and on one occasion he says 
that he ‘must have seen about two hundred on the wing together. 
In the evening they come to the water holes to drink, and roost 
in the trees close by.” In the Mashoona country it was seen by 
Mr. Jameson’s expedition, but not procured, and, according to 
Sir John Kirk, it is extremely common in the Zambesi region. It 
is called Kanga and Kaha in the interior. He says when the rains 
commence, the flocks go off to the interior, and scatter for the 
purpose of breeding. Although easily domesticated, it does not 
breed in captivity; and fresh birds require to be got, or eggs 
obtained from the nests in the bush. Mr, Andersson has published 
the following account of the species in South-Western Africa :— 
“This Guinea-fowl is the commonest game bird in Damara and 
Great Namaqua Land, being most abundant from the Orange River 
in the south, to the Okavango in the north of those countries ; 
and it is also very common in the Lake-regions. It is a*highly 
gregarious bird, especially during the dry season, when it is not 
uncommonly found in flocks of several hundred individuals; and 
on one occasion I saw upwards of a thousand collected in one spot, 
which was one of the prettiest sights I have had the good fortune 
to witness. These wonderful congregations usually occur in the 
immediate neighbourhood of waters of small extent; and it is quite 
evident that were such a mass of birds to make a simultaneous rush 
for the precious liquid, there would be much confusion, and com- 
paratively few would be enabled to have their fill. But, on the 
contrary, they go to work most economically and judiciously, and 
it is very interesting to watch the process. The first comers enter 
the well or hole, as the case may be, and, rapidly and dexterously 
taking their fill, they make their exit in a different direction, if 
possible, from that by which they entered; in the meanwhile the 
outsiders gradually and evenly approach, and the ring is gradually 
narrowed by a steady progressive movement of the whole. A batch 
- of fresh comers never attempt to force their way amongst those 
which had previously arrived, but remain quietly on the outside of 
NG ring until their turn comes. I may add that I have observed 
the same habit amongst the Sand-grouse. The Guinea-fowl feeds 
on grass, seeds, and insects, but chiefly on a small bulb which is 
also eagerly sought for by all gallinaceous birds, as well as by man, 
and which grows very abundantly throughout the country. These 
