THE HELMETED GUINEA-FOWLS 93 
Aduit.—Easily recognised by the shape of the bony helmet, 
which, though slightly curved backwards as in LV. corunatza, is 
more elevated, about half the breadth, and nearly cylindrical 
(height, 2°1 inches ; length, 0°55); the white spotted plumage 
continuous almost to the base of the bare neck, only a few feathers 
at the base of the neck showing traces of bars. Naked skin 
of face clear blue, shading into purplish-blue on the neck; 
wattles blue, with scarlet tips. ‘Total length, 21°5 inches ; 
wing, 10°4; tail, 5°8; tarsus, 2°7; middle toe (with claw), 
2A 
Range.— Western South Africa; Great Namaqua-land, 
Damara-land, and Mossamedes. 
Habits Mr. Andersson tells us that this Guinea-Fowl is 
the commonest Game-Bird in Damara and Great Namaqua 
Lands, being most abundant from the Orange River in the 
south to the Okavango in the north of those countries; and 
it is also very common in the lake regions: It is a highly 
gregarious bird, especially during the dry season, when it is not 
uncommonly found in flocks of several hundred individuals ; 
and on one occasion he saw upwards of a thousand collected 
in one spot, which was one of the prettiest sights he had 
the good fortune to witness. These wonderful congrega- 
tions usually occur in the immediate neighbourhood of 
waters of small extent ; and it is quite evident that were such 
a mass of birds to make a simultaneous rush for the precious 
liquid, there would be much confusion, and comparatively few 
would be enabled to have their fill. But on the contrary they 
go to work most economically and judiciously, and it is very 
interesting to watch the process. The first comers enter the 
doubtedly typical JV. cornuta, while the size of the white spots on the 
chest and breast varies in individuals and is unimportant, Herr E. Fleck 
(J. f. O. 1884, p. 390) figures the head of WV. papzllosa, Reichenow, and 
compares it with JV. rezchenow?, Grant, but the head figured by him as 
N. reichenowt is that of MV. mztrata, a very different species. This may 
be seen at a glance by the size and shape of the helmet and blue red-tipped 
wattles, In WV. retchenowz the wattles are evtzvely red. 
