GMIE-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



stuff and generally rises behind trees or other obstructions, 

 so that it is difficult to get a shot at it. Like other bush 

 Francolins, on being suddenly flushed by a dog it generally 

 takes refuge in the branches of the nearest tree. It is very 

 fond of scratching up the ground-nuts in the Kaffir gardens, 

 and also grubs up the roots of the manioc plant. It is a bird 

 of strong flight and is generally found in pairs, although 

 often in larger parties, but there are never more than five or 

 six individuals together. 



Mr. ffoUiott Darlmg says that this species is plentiful along 

 the banks of the rivers and in marshes near Mazoe in Mashona- 

 land ; the nest is well concealed and more pretentious than 

 that of most Francolins. 



The eggs according to Reichenow, are smooth, yellowish- 

 white and covered somewhat sparsely with fine darker spots ; 

 they measure 1.65 by 1.40 in ; but Mr. C. F. M. Swynnerton, 

 writing in the Journal of the South African Ornithologists' 

 Union, found it breeding near Mount Chirinda, Southern 

 Rhodesia, in December, and describes its nest and eggs as 

 follows : — 



" The nest was a mere hollow lined with grasses, in a 

 small comparatively bare spot in the grass-jungle. The bird 

 sat very close, almost allowing himself to be captured on the 

 nest, which contained five fresh eggs measuring 44.5 by 34, 

 44 by 34, and 43 by 35 mm. 



" The eggs were sharply pointed at the small end and 

 rounded at the other ; and in colour, were palest brown, 

 nearly white, the ' pores ' which were pitted densely over 

 the egg, being actually white. There were no spots 

 whatsoever." 



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