GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



The Cape Francolin, like the Red-billed Francolin, is flushed 

 with great difficulty, preferring to squat or run when pos- 

 sible ; it resorts to the lower branches of thick trees, and 

 there remains concealed just beyond the reach of the dogs ; 

 like other Francolins it feeds early and late on tender shoots, 

 especially of green fern, as weU as on grain and on insects. 

 Its note is a loud and drawn-out chuckle, generally heard 

 when the bird is disturbed and flying off to shelter. 



I have only shot this bird a few times — it is often found 

 feeding on the edges of cultivation, especially if near water, 

 and being large and not particularly quick on the wing I 

 have always found it easy to shoot. 



The nest is placed on the ground, usually under a bush ; 

 eight to fourteen eggs are laid and are of a greenish-brown 

 or brownish-cream colour ; they measure 1.95 to 1.8 by 

 1.5 to 1.4 in., according to Oates. 



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