JAW EXERCISE. 77 



they become smooth and terminate in the finest 

 points. They are essentially grass feeders, and re- 

 quire but little water. By choice they prefer level 

 plains of short grass, but when the migratory fits 

 come on them, they unhesitatingly pass through wide 

 extents of bush-veldt. To the natives their ap- 

 pearance is an inestimable boon, but to the farmers 

 they are a plague as much to be dreaded as locusts, 

 for not only do they consume all the growing crops, 

 but will eat every blade of grass off the flats, so 

 that not a particle is left to support cattle or sheep. 



The expected vley of water at last was reached ; 

 in it there was " water galore," and hovering over 

 and about it were thousands of Namaqua sand 

 grouse. 



While the cattle were being taken out of the 

 yoke, I got out my shot-gun, and being joined 

 by my chum, we proceeded to the lower end of 

 the vley, to procure some of these beauties. Tough 

 as they are to our teeth, they are excellent for 

 native consumption, for they give their jaws a lot 

 of exercise, and thus save better food. 



My friend took one side of the pool and I 

 the other, and as but little shelter was required 



