ie 
ry 
FRANCOLINUS LEVAILLANTIT. 597 
lived were always covered with long grass and rushes, indicating 
that they were always more damp than the surrounding country, and 
in the rainy season were probably swamps. 
Mr. Atmore makes the following observations on these birds :— 
“ Here’s a query for you about partridges. The drought appeared 
to have nearly destroyed them, particularly the red-wings, and now 
they are swarming. They could not have increased so much in the 
time, and I can’t make out where they come from. We had a little 
work near Heidelberg, and in one kloof, say one mile long, we saw 
more than one hundred birds. From that place we went to Rivers- 
dale: killed five out of the cart; between Riversdale and Gouritz 
River, killed seven and one Korhaan; between Gouritz River and 
Blanco fifteen, and shot only what presented themselves. On this 
journey we killed more than I saw altogether in two years of the 
drought. Again, two years ago, in this Outeniqualand, Red Kestrels 
were numberless, preying upon locusts. Last year rain had fallen, 
and very few Kestrels were seen, but Harriers were numerous; at 
present neither Kestrel nor Harrier is seen but rarely. South African 
birds appear to be very migratory, and irregularly so—probably 
food is the cause.” 
Eggs of this species, sent by Mr. L. C. Layard from Grootvaders- 
bosch, are rather larger and redder-coloured than those of the 
preceding. Axis, 1” 8”; diam., 1’ 4”. 
According to Mr. Rickard, it is found both at Port Elizabeth and 
Hast London. “In British Kaffraria,’ writes Captain Trevelyan, 
“this bird, owing to what it has to contend with in the shape of 
Hawks, Kafir Dogs, Wild Cats, grass-firing, droughts, floods, sports- 
men, etc., has much decreased of late years. Any one now getting a 
bag of five brace within twenty miles of Kingwilliamstown, would 
consider himself fortunate. They are very local, a covey (should old 
birds be left) being found in the same place year after year.” Mr, 
Ayres states that in Natal, ‘ these birds are scarce on the coast, but 
more plentiful in the inland districts. They frequently le exceed- 
ingly close, and it requires a very good dog to find them. They are 
mostly found in small coveys, and are very good eating. Their call, 
which is generally uttered morning and evening, is harsh and loud. 
They frequent high grass and other good covert, and rise with a 
loud burr. Their flight is rapid and strong, and they generally 
manage to settle out of sight, behind some hillock or bush, where 
