FRANCOLINUS GARIEPENSIS. 599 
with large spots of ferruginous, the margins of the feathers being 
paler and more grey. 
576. FRANCOLINUS GARIEPENSIS, Smith. | Orange River Francolin. 
Although the chestnut markings on the crop and flanks are of 
the same character as those in the preceding species, the present 
bird may be distinguished by its uniform white chin and upper 
throat. 
It was found about grassy slopes towards the sources of the Caledon 
and Vaal Rivers by Sir Andrew Smith, whence Mr. Arnot has also 
forwarded it to the South African Museum. It is found in the 
Transvaal, according to Mr. Ayres, who says :—‘ These birds breed 
amongst rough grass in dry situations, but not far from water; the 
eggs are spotted throughout with dark brown on a rather tawny 
ground. It is rather a short egg, abruptly pointed atthe small end. 
Size, 1% by 14, inch.” The same gentleman also writes :— This 
is the commonest of the Francolins on the Umyuli River, where it 
frequents the grassy and rocky slopes of the adjacent ranges. On 
the 7th of September a nest was found with three eggs; it was 
placed in a slight excavation in the ground, amongst high dry grass, 
and was lined with soft, half-decayed grass bents, mixed with a few 
feathers. The eggs were slightly incubated.” Mr. Andersson 
observes :—“I only met with this beautiful Francolin on the high 
tablelands of Damara and Great Namaqua Land; but there it is 
frequently very abundant, in coveys usually of about six or eight 
individuals, though sometimes as few as three birds, and at others 
as many as fourteen compose the covey. These Francolins invariably 
frequent grassy slopes sprinkled with dwarf bush; they lie very 
close, and, after having been once or twice flushed, are not easily 
found again, even with the assistance of dogs. They feed on bulbs, 
grass, berries, and seeds.” 
Mr. Monteiro states that this species is common all over Angola, 
but Professor Barboza du Bocage is inclined to doubt this assertion, 
as he has only received a single specimen from Caconda, from Senor 
Anchieta, during all the years in which the latter has been engaged 
in collecting in South-West Africa. 
Forehead, upper surface of head, and back of neck, dull reddish- 
brown ; all the feathers edged with pale rusty orange ; sides of neck 
with two arched liver-brown bars, mottled with white, the upper 
* 
