THE GAME BIRDS OF CAPE COLOXY. 



especially as one seldom gets to very close *|" J " i *"y l 

 and its death is invariably compassed by rifle and 

 bullet. The Boers of old soon learned by experience 

 to shoot them with their long roers (smooth-bore 

 riles), carrying large spherical bullets. The flesh is 

 not altogether unlike that of the turkey ; but it 

 partakes also of the true game flavour, and is 

 L T . : ; . _ ~ -:-.'.. 7.^. 



The next in size of the bustards is the Empodatis 

 caffra off I-MJiU'wJMM, commonly called the veldt 

 paauw by the colonists. This is a fine big bird, often 

 in length from three feet two %* to 



three feet lour inches. Its general colour is dull ashen 

 grey, *maWi with blade, and relieved by touches of 

 white upon the chin, neck, and stomach, upon which 

 there are white bands. It is rnore comrnonry found 

 than its congener the gom paanw, and is pretty 

 frequently seen and shot upon the Great Karroo, 

 especially to the north and east. Upon the plains 

 of Tin "ihnr""^"^ it is also plentiful. 



Another fine bustard is Otis o&f a bird measuring 

 three feet six inches in length. Its colour is a yellowish 

 brown, ktUaaficiMad with fine dark brown lines. The 

 chest, underparts, and front of the neck are white, 

 tinged with bluish grey. It has a "**M^ coloured 

 ruff, a white tail heavily barred with black, and the 

 legs and bill are yellow. The females of both these 

 last-named varieties are jnatti than the mrirs, and 

 both varieties are < Mflirnt ipml.in& birds, and 

 equally good at table. 



One of the best known bustards in the Colony is 

 commonrv *3m*l the fifarir boorhaan,* 





