OTIS RUFICRISTA. 



EED-CRESTED KNOEHAAN. 



(Plate 8.) 



Otis ruficrista, Smith, Zool. S. Afr., m, pp. 639, 854 (1875-84) ; NicoUs 

 and Eglington, Sportsman in S. Afr., p. 118 (1892) ; Reichenow, 

 Vogel Afrikas, i, p. 252 (1900-01) ; Sclater, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., 

 m, p. 357 (1905) ; Sclater & Stark, Birds of S. Afr., iv, p. 290 

 (1906). 



Lophotis ruficrista, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., xxm, p. 291 (1894). 



Local Name.. " Bush Knorhaan " in Bechuanaland. 



Description. The birds figured are an adult male and female. This 

 species measures about 20 in. 



In life the bases of this bird's body-feathers are suffused with 

 a soft pinkish tinge, but this fades very quickly after death. 



Distribution. It extends from Bechuanaland northwards through the 

 Transvaal to Benguela in the west, and to Rhodesia in the east. 



Most Bustards are dwellers in the open veldt, but the Bush 

 Knorhaan is usually found in bush country ; it is partial 

 to little, open glades where it can feed, but it also likes cover 

 into which to run if alarmed. 



It flies in very similar fashion to our English Woodcock 

 {Scolopax rusticola), dodging and diving through the trees 

 at tremendous speed, and giving a most sporting shot. Like 

 most Knorhaan it is a soft bird, and falls to a blow at which 

 a Guinea-fowl would scarcely falter. 



Mr. Sclater says that its note is a melancholy " Goo-goo," 

 but I have never heard it utter any sound. It is chiefly 

 an insect-eater. 



20 



