100 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



FRANGOIiINS. 



The Cape Redwing [Francolinus levaillanti). Fig. 48, 

 Plate XL 



\_Size considerably larger than the common English partridge^ 

 the figure proportionately longer and more slender. General colour 

 of hack and wings brownish grey, each feather streaked in the centre 

 ■with pale yellow or fawn, and barred with darker brown. Top of 

 head iimberish; breast and belly highly variegated with dark red and 

 brown streaks; a distinguishable band of white feathers tipped with 

 black extends over each eye, and passing downwards meets at the 

 base of the back of the neck; another band of the same colour com- 

 mences under each eye and meets on the breast; the inside of wings 

 reddish, from whence it derives its name, the ^'Redwing;" legs and 

 feet bluish yellow. The adult male birds spurred, old females occa- 

 sionally so?^ 



This well-known Francolin may be found all over South Africa as 

 far North as the Crocodile, but is met with more plentifully South of 

 the Orange River than in the Transvaal or Bechuanaland, another 

 closely allied species, also called the " Redwing " ( F. gariepensis J , 

 more or less taking its place in the latter territories. It does not 

 prefer any particular description of country, and may be found in 

 coveys from six to twelve in number frequenting alike the open flats, 

 hill sides and valleys, but not generally in a thickly wooded locality. 

 It often strays long distances from water, and consequently the 

 question has been raised as to whether it is a daily drinker or 

 not. Having the widest range, and being more readily flushed than 

 other species, it affords excellent sport when shot over dogs, and may 

 be said to take the place of the English partridge in South Africa in 

 a sporting point of view. When flushed, all the birds do not as a 

 rule rise simultaneously, but generally get up in odd ones, thus 

 affording opportunities to the pot hunter, should he so desire, of 

 accounting for an entire covey without much difficulty. When 

 marked down for a second time, they are difficult to rise again, and 

 the natives, taking advantage of this, and assisted by their mongrels, 

 kill them easily with knobkerries. The call — " chirakeely " — which 

 is uttered towards daylight and sundown, is a quick succession of 



