OTIS RUEPPELLI. 643 
very noisy, uttering notes something like ‘knock-me-down, knock- 
me-down ;” and their apparent wishes are very often acceded to. 
These Bustards are somewhat wary, and are not always easy of 
approach in the open country; they, however, prefer land well- 
studded with thorn-bush, and there they are more easily got at. 
They generally run, on the appearance of danger, with great 
swiftness, and hide in the long grass. In the morning and evening 
they are often to be seen sunning themselves, perched on some 
ant-heap.”” 
Mr. T. E. Buckley states that it is common throughout the north 
of the Transvaal. ‘‘ During the breeding season the male flies about 
making a most peculiar noise, something like a small drum being 
beaten with one stick.” 
Mr. Andersson observes :—‘‘ This is perhaps the most common 
Bustard in both Great Namaqua Land and Damara Land. On 
taking wing or when disturbed the male becomes outrageously noisy 
and will rise vertically and to a great height, often descending as 
abruptly. This is a great nuisance to the hunter, who is frequently 
done out of his quarry by the Bustard’s sudden and _ noisy 
apparition.” 
Adult.—Resembles the preceding in every respect, except the one 
great distinguishing mark, viz.: on opening the wings the quill- 
feathers of this species will be found with a large blaze of white 
on them, while those of FH. afra are entirely black. Mr. Ayres gives 
the following soft parts :— 
Male.—Irides dusky, tawny on the outer edge; bill ashy at the 
tip, the ridge dusky, base and gape reddish pink; tarsi and feet 
yellow. In the immature birds the irides are hazel. 
Fig. Smith, Ml. Zool. S. Afr. pl. 19. 
616. *Or1s ruEpPELLI, Wahlb. Riippell’s Bustard. 
This is a bird of South-Western Africa. Mr. Andersson writes: — 
“This species is plentiful in Great Namaqua Land and is not 
uncommon in some of the more open parts of Southern Damara 
Land; it is partial to slightly undulating ground abounding in 
boulders and loose stones, and is usually found in pairs. When 
disturbed it utters a succession of quick harsh notes, and crows not 
unlike a Corncrake on taking wing, but in a much louder strain.” 
Mr. Monteiro, whose specimen was described as a new species by 
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