GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



individuals, generally in secluded valleys where there are 

 plenty of rushes and long grass; Layard particularly men- 

 tions its preference for the thick palmiet (reed) beds, which 

 are so often found along the rivers of the southern part of 

 the Colony. 



Every one remarks that it lies very close and that a very 

 good dog is required to flush it, and after this has been done 

 once it is almost impossible to make the bird rise again, so 

 much so that if carefully marked down it can almost be 

 caught by hand. 



The call-note, heard morning and evening, is loud and 

 harsh, and though resembling that of F. shelleyi, is not so 

 distinct and can be readily distinguished. Its food consists 

 of insects, seeds, and small bulbous roots ; it is particularly 

 fond of Gladioli and Watsonia bulbs, and is generally to be 

 found where these are growing in any numbers. 



The nest is usually well hidden in a depression in the ground 

 among long grass, generally not far from water; the eggs, 

 five to eight in number, vary somewhat, but are usually a 

 dark tawny, spotted throughout with dark brown. 



Lieut. C. H. T. Whitehead {Ibis, 1903) states that he 

 found fresh eggs on December 15th, and young ones only a 

 few weeks old in June. 



I have observed the breeding-season varies in many South 

 African game-birds, and believe that many of them breed 

 quite regardless of the time of the year, so long as the supply 

 of food is plentiful and sufficient shelter is available. 



61 



