HUNTING IN THE MOUNTAINS 



may think the sound comes from the grass, it is really 

 from a neighbouring tree. This is because it dislikes 

 very wet grass, and likes to wander about without 

 wetting its wings. One may be nearly sure of finding 

 it near Kafir cultivations. Both species can be 

 hunted wkh dogs, they will sit, and double, and in 

 fact afford excellent sport. I advise the use of No. 6 

 or 5 shot for them. 



If the natives capture few mountain partridges, 

 which live on fruit, wild grain, and berries, they 

 succeed in taking many of the lowland partridges, 

 which they call kwahtt. For this kind of poaching 

 they hide in the coulees of the grass which surrounds 

 their fields, snares, which, placed perpendicular to the 

 ground, catch the bird by the neck. They also catch 

 them with bird-lime, made of a mixture of grain and 

 the sap of a tree they call the tchinga. 



Often, in order to vary our menu, I take up my 

 position under a large tree laden with fruit which the 

 doves and green pigeons come to feed upon. In a 

 very short time I have filled my shooting-bag with 

 enough for a good meal ; and immediately return to 

 camp in obedience to the rule which I have always 

 made in Africa to avoid useless slaughter. 



Everyone knows that splendid bird, the green pigeon ; 

 it is found throughout the African continent, and I 

 need not therefore describe it. From a culinary 

 point of view it is a real feast, and its flight is so rapid 

 that I consider it to afford almost better sport than 



(17) 



3— <2I35 



