3i6 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



the aspect of this bird is very ludicrous ; its gait 

 has, indeed, been compared to the appearance of a 

 clock-work mouse when set in motion. This sand- 

 grouse seems likely to be abundant in the Colony 

 for all time. It is not much shot for food, as its 

 flesh is the driest of all South African game birds. 

 It is, however, if included in a game stew, by no 

 means bad eating, and as it affords very good 

 shooting, new comers to the Colony will not, I am 

 convinced, feel inclined to despise it. The sand- 

 grouse will always find its way to water at close of 

 day, and this very peculiarity has often saved the 

 lives of men and beasts in many a parching trek, 

 when the evening flight of this bird has indicated 

 the presence of some unknown fountain in the desert. 

 Of bustards there are six or seven kinds to be 

 found within the Colony. First and noblest of the 

 family, and, indeed, of all South African feathered 

 game, stands the great kori bustard, the gom paauw 

 of the Dutch, the kori of the Bechuanas, the Otis 

 kori of the naturalist, Dr. Burchell. Formerly 

 abundant upon every open karroo, this 'magnificent 

 bird is at the present day by no means so plentiful 

 in the Colony ; its great size, and quality as a table 

 bird, having rendered it much sought after by 

 sportsmen, whether Dutch, British, or native. It is, 

 however, still to be met with occasionally upon the 

 flats, generally not far from the mimosa bushes 

 fringing rivers and dry water-courses, and as it is a 

 migratory bird, it will probably long remain to the 

 Colony, although in reduced numbers. The Dutch 

 Afrikanders have ever loved to bestow quaint and 

 outlandish names upon the birds and beasts of 

 their adopted land. The name gom paauw really 



