304 
A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
may be pretty sure of him. Like ail the francolins, he 
lies very close during the heat of the day, but during 
the early mornings, especially after rain, and in the 
evenings, he gets very busy. I have seen the greatest 
quantity in the Kikuyu fields towards Fort Hall, along 
the Issiala river running into the northern Guaso 
Nyiro, and at Lugga, a pool in the northern desert; 
at either of the latter I feel sure that I could easily 
have obtained a hundred brace. The usual method of 
obtaining spurfowl is to walk them up in line, when 
they usually rise rather wild, go down with a charge of 
shot in their tails, and require help from an active dog. 
If the birds can be headed, pretty driven shots may be 
obtained, and the best method of doing this is by 
half-mooning. The best bag I have actually heard of 
is about forty brace. 
It is rather sad to see the way in which spurfowl have 
decreased in the neighbourhood of a white settlement, 
and undoubtedly both this bird, guinea-fowl and duck 
are in need of a close season. It is said to be difficult 
to provide a satisfactory close time, owing to the fact 
that nearly all game birds breed twice a year in the 
Protectorate, and that at different times in different 
places. Probably, however, if it were illegal to kill or 
expose for sale spurfowl during July, August, and 
September, this species would obtain all the protection 
it requires. 
Though most of the other francolins are common, 
the only variety which I have seen in numbers 
sufficient to afford a bag is Grant’s francolin. He is a 
cheery little fellow, and in the bush-country which he 
frequents may be heard calling in every direction in 
the early morning. He gives much better sport than 
the spurfowl, as he flies much quicker and usually 
