OTIDIDJE. 259 



300. Eupodotis ruficrista (Smith). Rufous-crested Bustard. 



Otis ruficrista, Smith's Zooh of S. Africa, pi. 4. 

 „ „ Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Oontr. Orn . 



1852, p. 158. 

 Eupodotis ritflcrista, Layard's Cat. No. 546. 

 Otis ruficrista, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 414. 



I have met with this species pretty frequently in 

 Great Namaqua Land, and also, but less frequently, in 

 Southern Damara Land, to the north of which I believe 

 it does not extend. It is usually found on open ground 

 thinly covered with dwarf bush. 



The irides are greyish brown with a whitish-yellow 

 ring next the pupil ; this ring is sometimes tinged with 

 orange. 



Measurements of a male : — 



in. lin. 



Entire length 17 9 



Length of folded wing 10 8 



„ tarsus 3 2 



„ middle toe . 1 6 



„ tail 6 9 



bill . . . .1 11 



301. Eupodotis Riippellii (Wahl.). RUppell's Bustard. 



Otis JRuppellii, Wahlberg, in Journ. fiir Orn. 1857, p. 1 . 

 Otis pioturata, Hartlauh, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1865, pi. 6. 

 Otis RUppelli, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vbgel Ost-Afriia's, p. 619. 



This species is plentiful in Great Namaqua Land and 

 is not uncommon in some of the more open parts of 

 Southern Damara Land ; it is partial to slightly undula- 

 ting ground abounding in boulders and loose stones, and 

 is usually found in pairs. When disturbed it utters a 

 succession of quick harsh notes, and crows not unlike a 

 Corncrake on taking wing, but in a much louder strain. 



s2 



