48 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species of Birds 



the male is brighter and also larger than the female. It is sel- 

 dom that more than two or three are found together. 



300. Peristera. AFRA (Linn.). Bronze-spotted Dove. 

 This Dove is usually found in pairs. It inhabits the same 



localities as the Tambourin-Pigeon [Peristera tympanistria, Ibis, 

 I860, p. 214], which it very much resembles in its habits. 



301. EuPODOTis AFROiDEs, Smith. White-quilled Bustard. 

 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. 



These fine birds are only to be found in the upper districts of 

 Natal, and not plentifully. In the Free State and Transvaal 

 they are, however, very plentiful. The male birds are 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. 



Their eggs (which, so far as I know, are always two in number) 

 may be found under some long tuft of grass. They are in ap- 

 pearance much like those of the Stanley Bustard [Eupodotis 

 caffra, Ibis, 1860, p. 216], though of course much smaller. 



302. EuPODOTTS c^RULEscENs (Vieill.). Blue Bustard. 

 Female. Iris dusky, with the outer ring tawny ; bill dusky, but 



pale at the base ; tarsi and feet yellow. 



These Bustards are found more along the banks of streams and 

 valleys than is the case with the preceding ; but they are also 

 often found amongst stony hills. They are also less noisy than 

 that species, and, I think, also more difficult to approach, being 

 seldom seen till flushed. 



303. Eupodotis senegalensis (Vieill."). Senegal Bustard. 

 Male. Iris dusky, outer ring tawny ; bill pink-brown at the 



tip, edges dusky; tarsi and feet pale. 



