THE GAME BIRDS OF CAPE COLONY. 319 



especially as one seldom gets to very close quarters, 

 and its death is invariably compassed by rifle and 

 bullet. The Boers of old soon learned by experience 

 to shoot them -^ith their long roers (smooth-bore 

 rifles) , carrying large spherical bullets. The flesh is 

 not altogether unlike that of the turkey; but it 

 partakes also of the true game flavour, and is 

 delicious eating. 



The next in size of the bustards is the Eupodotis 

 caffra of Lichtenstein, commonly called the veldt 

 paauw by the colonists. This is a fine big bird, often 

 measuring in length from three feet two inches to 

 three feet four inches. Its general colour is dull ashen 

 grey, streaked with black, and relieved by touches of 

 white upon the chin, neck, and stomach, upon which 

 there are white bands. It is more commonly found 

 than its congener the gom paauw, and is pretty 

 frequently seen and shot upon the Great Karroo, 

 especially to the north and east. Upon the plains 

 of Bushmanland it is also plentiful. 



Another fine bustard is Otis colei, a bird measuring 

 three feet six inches in length. Its colour is a yellowish 

 brown, interspersed with fine dark brown lines. The 

 chest, underparts, and front of the neck are white, 

 tinged with bluish grey. It has a reddish coloured 

 ruff, a white tail heavily barred with black, and the 

 legs and bill are yellow. The females of both these 

 last-named varieties are smaller than the males, and 

 both varieties are excellent sporting birds, and 

 equally good at table. 



One of the best known bustards in the Colony is 

 the knorhaan, commonly called the black koorhaan,* 



* The old Dutch name knorhaan, literally "scolding cock," appears to 

 have been corrupted to koorhaan, sometimes koran. 



