128 ORNAMENTS OF THE VELD 



a greenish tinge), spotted and blotched with purplish and 

 dark brown, and generally about 85 inches in length. 



The young, when unfledged, bear quite a singular 

 resemblance to young ostrich chicks. These become 

 very tame in captivity, and may often be seen stalking 

 about the farmyards of the Boers. 



The Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum), known 

 also by the vernacular names of "Kaffir Crane" and 

 " Mahem," is easy of description in its slate, white and 

 black plumage, velvety-black crown, ornamented by a 

 large crest of pale-yellowish bristles, and the patches of 

 naked red and white skin on the cheeks. 



It ranges from the Eastern Cape Colony to Rhodesia, 

 and over to the northern portion of German South-west 

 Africa. 



Like the Blue Crane, the Mahem assembles into flocks 

 during the winter, and pairs off to breed in the summer. 

 It prefers the open veld, but is seldom found far from 

 moist localities, such as vleis or rivers, where it seeks 

 its food, consisting of frogs and lizards, locusts and other 

 insects. 



Unlike its congener, the Blue Crane, it breeds in a 

 swamp or vlei, constructing its nest of reeds, rushes, &c., 

 just above the surface of the water, and lays two eggs of 

 a bluish-white colour. 



BUSTARDS. 



The Korhaans (Family Otididce) are fairly numerous in 

 South Africa, twelve species being found within our limits. 



The male of the Black Korhaan (Otis afro) has the 

 crown ashy and ear-coverts white ; rest of head, neck 

 and under-parts black ; wing black with a white band. 



