53 Mr. W. L. Sclater on Birds collected 



Soutli Africa/ vol. iv. p. 275. Nor is much light thrown on 

 the subject by the series in the British Museum. All the 

 Soutli African s})Ccioiens, except one, match Grant's females 

 and are sexed " female '^ where there are any data given. 

 The one exception, which is also without data and is merely 

 labelled " S.E.. Afr./' is in the plumage described as that of 

 an adult male. 



[I have seen Peters's Fin-Foot in three localities, in all 

 of which I secured specimens. It frequents deep narrow 

 streams and rivers well overhung with trees and bushes and 

 with thick vegetation along the banks. In habits it is a great 

 skulker, endeavouring to escape observation by diving and 

 keeping to the thick vegetation and fallen dead trees. It 

 swims low in the water like a Cormorant, the base of the 

 neck and shoulders being as a rule submerged. When one 

 is on the wing crossing from river to river, the flight is 

 extremely fast and straight, resemblin'g that of Teal, but 

 more rapid. This individual also dived straight under 

 the water with hardly any slacking of the speed. The 

 call is a sharp loud and clear cry, somewhat similar to 

 that of the River-Cormorant, but more approaching a shriek. 

 It Avas its call that first drew my attention to the bird on the 

 Umzinele River. On each occasion that I saw the birds in 

 Zululand there were a pair, but I was only able to secure 

 one of them. The specimen from Plettenberg Bay was shot 

 up the Keurboom River and was apparently solitary. 



The coloration of the soft parts is as follows : — Irides 

 silvery brown ; bill fleshy at base and on the lower mandible ; 

 legs and toes rich orange, nails flesh-coloured.] 



690. Otis ruficrista. 



Tv. Klein Letaba, July, Aug. (4 cJ , 3 ? ) . 



['' Bush Knorhaan " of the Colonists. 



This is strictly a Knorhaan of the "bush-veld," and is 

 always found in the more thickly wooded parts, such as exten- 

 sive patches of mopani. It is generally observed in pairs, and 

 when flushed rises rapidly. The flight is remarkably fast and 

 erratic, making difficult though pretty shooting. This species 

 has a curious habit of running along the numerous native 



