THE LANDRAIL 



the Cape Flats, near Wynberg, as far back as 1864. 

 It may be pointed out, however, that, as a whole, Cape 

 Colony is a much drier country than Natal, and must 

 therefore offer less hospitable quarters to a bird of the 

 landrail's habits. 



The gunner, then, carelessly picking up the humble, 

 creeping landrail, and putting it among the partridges 

 of his September bag, may well give a thought to the 

 curious lot and instinct of this shy and unpretending 

 bird. The feathered creature that lies in his hand dead 

 this morning might, but for that charge of shot, have 

 spent its winter far away south in savage Africa, or 

 haply even have winged its flight next spring as far 

 north as inhospitable Greenland. 



67 



