14 THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



If these birds happen to be in large flocks and 

 found early in the morning, say an hour or more 

 after sun-up, their back trail will invariably take you 

 to the nearest water. If late in the day, the direction 

 in which they are heading will indicate where the 

 precious liquid is to be found, for, unless alarmed 

 by some of their numerous enemies, they seldom 

 use their wings in flight. During the greatest heat 

 of the day, when all animated nature in this country 

 seeks rest and shelter, they will occasionally be 

 found grouped together under the shadow of the 

 big flesh-leaved mapani, or other equally umbrageous 

 shrub, but as soon as this shelter ceases to be 

 necessary again they are upon their march seeking 

 for food, and so great is their velocity of foot and 

 untiring energy in getting over the ground, that I 

 confidently believe they frequently cover a space of 

 thirty miles between sunrise and sunset. As in 

 England, these birds are frequently domesticated by 

 the Boers and such Bechuanas as live in permanent 

 stations, but they are bad mothers, and consequently 

 domestic fowls are generally employed as foster 

 parents. 



All know well the dreadful concern that a hen 



