THE MOTLAUTSI. 



27 



drank, and which the grouse resorted to. The sand 

 around it was covered with feathers of birds. 



"Sunset scene very lovely. In the foreground, 

 brown bushes. Two little violet kopjes appear 

 against the sky, behind one of which the sun has set. 

 A lovely rose hue, deepest around the position of 

 the sun, is on the horizon ; this fades into violet, and 

 this again into a pale greenish blue. Some very 





double-banded sand-grouse.— Pterocles bicinchis. 



small, clearly defined, deep violet clouds, edged with 

 gold, stand out from the sky. 



"August 23d.— Before daybreak the little sand- 

 grouse were flying round, and a few settled to drink. 

 I did not disturb them. The Motlautsi is a lame 

 river, with a very sandy bed, and here and there 

 large rocks, and a twisting course. Hendrik says 

 all these sandy rivers become dry or nearly so in 

 winter. Both yellow and cream-coloured acacia 



