THE GAME AT NATAL. 



species of Guinea-fowl, one that was generally found in 

 the plains, the other in the forests : the latter was a very 

 fine bird, excellent eating, and very handsome ; he had a 

 fine top-knot on his head, but was otherwise similar, only 

 superior in size, to that of the plains. Two species of 

 bustards were common; viz., the coran and the pouw, 

 both excellent eating, the latter frequently reaching to a 

 great size and weight. Ostriches were sometimes met 

 on the plains near the Draakensburg Mountains. Many 

 birds, brilliantly adorned, frequented the forests, amongst 

 which the golden cuckoo and the lowry were conspicuous. 

 Eagles and hawks of all sizes sailed around in search of 

 prey, while the little sugar-birds, with their long flutter- 

 ing tails and their dazzling plumage, gave an appearance 

 of life to every bush. 



Three species of bush-buck were plentiful in the forests 

 along the coast. The finest is the black bush-buck (Tra- 

 gelaphus sylvaticus). The male is three feet high, and 

 about five feet long ; he is very elegant, and stouter than 

 the generality of antelopes ; his horns about a foot long, 

 nearly straight, and wrinkled near the base; the general 

 colour is dark chestnut, black above, and marked with a 

 streak of white along the spine, with several white spots 

 about the body : the female is similar, but lighter- 

 coloured, and without horns. The ears, large and round, 

 are well adapted for the bush, and the hunter must be an 

 adept who approaches these antelopes without causing 

 them alarm ; few shots are obtained at them, owing to 

 their watchfulness. The red bush-buck (Oreotragus gri- 

 seus) is a very common antelope in the wooded tracts up 



