588 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
mountains.” He has also found it in breeding in the Waterberg 
district. Mr. F. A. Barratt writes:—%This species I observed on 
my route between Lydenburg and the Gold-fields. They appear to 
be fond of water, especially small streams, where they are found at 
early morn. At night they frequent the dead brushwood, and the 
open in the day-time. I am not certain whether I observed them 
on my trip to Rustenberg; but I have received specimens from 
Macamac.” During Mr. Jameson’s expedition it was procured on 
the Inshlangeen River, and Mr. Ayres remarks concerning the 
specimen :—“On the 4th of June I found the nest with six eggs, 
slightly incubated. The nest was in rough high grass near the 
river, in a slight cavity, and was constructed of soft dry grass and a 
few breast-feathers of the old birds. The eggs are of a pinkish 
cream-colour, finely speckled all over with chalky white, are roundish 
in shape, measuring 142 by 1,4. We found this species also at 
the Quae-Quae river, and in many other spots along our route.” In 
his work on the “ Birds of Damara Land” Mr, Andersson says :— 
“Tn travelling northwards through Damara Land, I first met with 
this powerful and somewhat coarse-looking Francolin at the southern 
extremity of Omuveroom, where it occurred sparingly; but it 
became more common as I proceeded further north, till, on the 
banks of the Okavango River, I found it quite abundant. It 
frequents grassy localities sprinkled with brushwood, generally, but 
not always, selecting the neighbourhood of springs, streams, or 
marshes. It feeds in open spots, but retires to the jungle on the 
. first approach of danger, chiefly trusting to its legs to effect its 
retreat. It always roosts on trees by night, and occasionally perches 
on them by day; in the early morning and at evening it utters 
frequent harsh cries. This species feeds chiefly on small bulbs, but 
also eats seeds, berries, and insects. The young of this Francolin 
are strong on the wing about the month of May.” 
General colour, brown; each feather of the back with a dark 
stripe down the centre, and finely mottled; under parts rusty, or 
yellowish-grey ; the breast and lower part of neck darkest, each 
feather marked in the course of the shaft by a very dark umber 
stripe; chin, throat, and space round the eyes bare, and of a 
colour between lake and vermilion-red ; top of head brocoli-brown. 
Length, 14”; wing, 8” 3”; tail, 3’ 6’. Mr. Ayres gives the following 
soft parts :—‘‘ Iris brown ; bill black, with the lower mandible and 
