212 OENAMENTS OF THE VELD 



plentiful on the " flats " of the Orange Free State, in the 

 Brandfort and Winburg districts, and in the Central Trans- 

 vaal at certain seasons. 



It feeds on a variety of substances, including locusts and 

 other insects, small reptiles, and the like. 



It congregates into flocks during the winter months, 

 separating into pairs in the breeding season. 



It lays two large pale-brown eggs (with sometimes a 

 greenish tinge), spotted and blotched with purplish and dark 

 brown, and generally about 3J inches in length. 



The young, when unfledged, bear quite a singular resem- 

 blance to young Ostrich chicks. These become very tame 

 in captivity, and may often be seen stalking about the 

 farmyards of the Boers. 



The Crowned Crane {Balearica regulorum), known also by 

 the vernacular names of " Kaffir Crane " and " Mahem," is 

 easy of recognition in its slate, white and black plumage, 

 velvety black crown, ornamented by a large crest of pale- 

 yellowish bristles, and the patches of naked red and white 

 skin on the cheeks. Length, about 40 inches. 



It ranges from the Eastern Cape Colony to Rhodesia, 

 and over to the northern portion of German South-West 

 Africa . 



Like the Blue Crane, the Mahem assembles into flocks 

 during the winter, and pairs off to breed in the summer. It 

 prefers the open veld, but is seldom found far from moist 

 localities, such as vleis or rivers, where it seeks its food, 

 consisting of frogs and lizards, locusts and other insects. . 



Unlike its congener, the Blue Crane, it breeds in a swamp 

 or vlei, constructing its nest of reeds, rushes, &c., just above 

 the surface of the water, and lays two eggs of a bluish-white 

 colour. 



