VAAL KNORHAAN 



stonier ridges of rolling country, and are not so fond of 

 old lands and flat grassy plains as their near relatives the 

 White-quUled Knorhaans (0. afroides). They are not at all 

 difficult birds to shoot, and wiU often allow a fairly close 

 approach as long as the would-be shooter does not walk 

 straight at them ; they are much more prone to squat than 

 other Bustards as long as a direct approach is avoided. 



Once on the wing they fly powerfully and fast, and 

 generally utter their resounding cry as they get up. Like 

 other small Bustards this species feeds on insects, lizards, 

 locusts and occasionally a little green vegetable matter. 



Two birds reached the London Zoological Gardens this 

 year (1911), but I did not think they did very well, owing 

 to want of space. All South African Bustards in the wild 

 state take an immense amount of exercise, and the enclosure 

 in which they are kept in captivity can hardly be too 

 large. They also must have some place where they can 

 avoid rain and damp, and if they are forced to sleep on 

 damp and exposed grotmd their lives will be of short 

 duration. They are worth while taking a good deal of 

 trouble over, as they are most interesting and beautiful, 

 and their habits in captivity have been very little studied. 



According to Mr. Sclater the eggs are nearly oval in 

 shape, and the ground-colour varies from pale brown to 

 olive-brown, blotched somewhat sparingly with dark brown 

 of several shades. They measure 2.60 by 1.75 in. 



17 



