304 A COLONY IN THE MAKING chap. 



may be pretty sure of him. Like all the francolins, he 

 lies very close during the heat of the day, but during 

 the early mornings, especially after rain, and in the 

 evenings, he gets very busy. I have seen the greatest 

 quantity in the Kikuyu fields towards Fort Hall, along 

 the Issiala river running into the northern Guaso 

 Nyiro, and at Lugga, a pool in the northern desert ; 

 at either of the latter I feel sure that I could easily 

 have obtained a hundred brace. The usual method of 

 obtaining spurfowl is to walk them up in line, when 

 they usually rise rather wild, go down with a charge of 

 shot in their tails, and require help from an active dog. 

 If the birds can be headed, pretty driven shots may be 

 obtained, and the best method of doing this is by 

 half-mooning. The best bag I have actually heard of 

 is about forty brace. 



It is rather sad to see the way in which spurfowl have 

 decreased in the neighbourhood of a white settlement, 

 and undoubtedly both this bird, guinea-fowl and duck 

 are in need of a close season. It is said to be difficult 

 to provide a satisfactory close time, owing to the fact 

 that nearly all game birds breed twice a year in the 

 Protectorate, and that at different times in different 

 places. Probably, however, if it were illegal to kill or 

 expose for sale spurfowl during July, August, and 

 September, this species would obtain all the protection 

 it requires. 



Though most of the other francolins are common, 

 the only variety which I have seen in numbers 

 sufficient to afford a bag is Grant's francolin. He is a 

 cheery little fellow, and in the bush-country which he 

 frequents may be heard calling in every direction in 

 the early morning. He gives much better sport than 

 the spurfowl, as he flies much quicker and usually 



