tHE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. II7 



not frequented by other descriptions of game, yet, taking it as a 

 general rule, its absence is more desirable than its presence to 

 the sportsman. Sporting dogs are almost valueless as an aid, and 

 the most patient and best trained pointer or setter quickly gets 

 ruined in its pursuit, while its flesh is tough and inferior. If skinned 

 before being cooked, it will be found much better. 



The White-quilled Black Khoorhan {Otis afroides). Fig. 38, 

 Frontispiece. 



[Size, shape, colour, and voice identical with the Black Khoorhan, 

 nuith the exception of one distinguishing mark. On the quill feathers 

 being opened (if the outer two are excluded) they are all marked 

 with white.'\ 



This variety does not extend South of the Orange River, but is more 

 common in the Transvaal, Bechuanaland and Damaraland than the 

 Black Khoorhan, its range extending Northward to the Tropic of 

 Capricorn. Reference to the last described will be sufficient in every 

 way for the one under notice. 



The Vaal Khoorhan {Otis scolopacea). Fig. 45, Frontispiece. 



\_Body somewhat larger and legs longer than O. afroides. General 

 colour, light reddish brown, streaked and mottled with dark reddish 

 brown and black; head adorned with crest; throat and chin black, 

 surrounded with a creamy yellow edging ; the under fluffy portion 

 of all the feathers pink, which fades rapidly after death; a black 

 distinguishing V at the back of the. head; quill feathers black.] 



This bird is occasionally found in the Karoo of the Cape Colony, but 

 is much more plentiful in the Transvaal, Bechuanaland and Damara- 

 land, although its range does not appear to extend so far North as 

 the Zambesi. It generally associates in pairs, but is sometimes dis- 

 covered in families numbering half-a-dozen, frequenting open sandy 

 grass-covered flats sparsely dotted over with the camel-thorn tree, 

 its favourite haunt, early in the morning and late in the evening, 

 being on the slope of some gentle rise in the surrounding country, 

 at which times its presence may be easily distinguished by its 

 crowing voice " kir-rak-a-rack-a-rack.'' In the heat of the day it is 

 difficult to discover, and, when found, prefers seeking concealment 



