Dr Black on South African Partridges. 85 



white flesh, but the latter is the more gamy, though less 

 showy bird, and lias dark flesh, and is most delicious eating. 

 A7iatomically the chief diflerence between the two varieties 

 consists in the testis of the Greywing being much larger than 

 in the Eedwing, which may be coincident with greater 

 numbers, and more gregarious habits; and the inferior larynx 

 is present in both to answer for their vigorous screaming. 



Domestication. — The Redwing Partridge is strongly recom- 

 mended as a suitable bird for conversion into farm poultry, as 

 its habits seem to point it out for use by man for domestication. 

 The Ch-eyioing hird, on the other hand, from its more migra- 

 tory habits, wilder and unsettled disposition, would be much 

 less suitable for this purpose. 



The Eedwing birds would look well in a paddock or farm- 

 steading, as they are handsome and plump in appearance, and 

 erect in bearing, and would make as substantial a repast as 

 any of the best bred poultry in this country both as to quality 

 and quantity. 



The Winterherg District is generally considered the best 

 shooting ground for partridge in the eastern provinces of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and is much frequented by the old 

 sportsmen of the frontier, who make up expeditions there for 

 the winter season during May, June, an(f July. The writer 

 had frequent opportunities of accompanying parties of ofiicers 

 from the border posts on these trips, when serving in South 

 Africa, and kept a journal of their proceedings, from which 

 the present account is extracted. 



Retief Valley. — The first excursion detailed is one up this 

 valley, lying between the Little Winterberg on the west, and 

 the Didima Mountain on the east, and comprised an undulat- 

 ing grassy country with numerous rills trickling down to join 

 the main stream, a spruit of the K oonap Eiver. 



Several covies of Redwing Partridge frequented this piece 

 of country, some of which were duly hunted, with more or 

 less success, on diflerent trips, w^hich were here easier, owing 

 to the place being accessible and sheltered. 



Boiicliers Kloof. — This excursion went up to the valley 

 lying between the Middle Winterberg and the Eeed Flats, 

 which was quite of Alpine appearance, with heights rising on 



