502 
BIRDS SEEN AT KLAARWATER. 
29, 30 Dec. 
enjoyed the delightful notes of a little bird which bore the greatest 
resemblance to the Canary bird, not only in size and color, but in 
its singing also ; and it had, therefore, gained from the Klaarwater 
people the name of Kanari vogel. It is not easy to suppress that 
natural reluctance we feel at taking away the life of any thing so 
innocent and pleasing as the bird that entertains us by its happy war- 
bling. On this account I never shot but one individual of that spe- 
cies, nor did any of my men happen ever to meet with another. In 
the mead we often started a very remarkable sort of plover, distin- 
guished by a short thorn or spur at the flexure, or metacarpal joint 
of the wing. A kite, which in size, manners, and appearance, much 
resembled the common kite of Europe, now and then occurred in 
different districts of the interior, but seldom more than two or three 
were seen at the same time. It is known by the name of Kuikendief 
(Chicken-thief). A Kestrel was frequently met with, and also the 
common Butcher-bird or Shrike, the common Hoopoe, and Bee- 
eater ; all four so much resembling the English bird, that a doubt may 
be admitted whether they can be considered as forming distinct species. 
A goat-sucker, first shot at this place, but found in various other parts 
of Africa, differs very little in general appearance from the European 
kind. The Green-and-gold Cuckoo was found in abundance ; as were 
Crows of two species ; the little Cape Pigeon, or Namaqua duif; the 
Guinea Dove, called Boschduif (Wood Pigeon) ; the Turtle Dove ; the 
Cape Lark, called, I know not for what reason, Wilde Kalkoentje, 
(Little Wild Turkey); and the Sacred Vulture, or Witte Kraai. Besides 
these we shot specimens of new species of Snipe, Rail, Orioles, 
Shrikes, Swallow, Thrush, Barbets, Plovers, Flycatchers, Sparro, 
Grosbeak, &c. To which list may be added a considerable number 
of the birds already mentioned in the preceding part of this journal. 
SOth. Gert, by residing in Captain Kok's hut, and thus passing 
several weeks entirely among the Klaarwater Hottentots, had an 
Rallus, species 3 
Scolopax 
Oriolus 
Laiiius 
Charadrius 
Grus . ( Groote blawwe Kraan- 
vogel ) 
Loxia (Linn.) species 3 
