Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/82

52 somewhat elongated oval, tapering to a point; the shell is rather rough and thick; the colour was originally white, but is stained and dirty. The egg measures 2·95 × 1·80 in.

Almost everywhere the natives of South Africa attach magical properties to this bird, chiefly connected with the production of rain. The Kafirs of the eastern portion of the Colony, during times of severe drought, will kill one by order of the "rain doctor." A stone is then attached to its neck, and it is flung into a "vlei," or sometimes into a river. The idea is that the bird, having an offensive smell, will make the water sick, and that, in order to remedy this state of things, rain will fall in great quantities, which will flush out the "vlei" or river. The Ovampos of North Damaraland also have a superstition. When Mr. Andersson asked one of their chiefs to obtain the eggs of this bird for him, he replied that it could not be done, as they were soft to the touch, and would fall to pieces on the least handling.

In captivity this bird makes a charming and delightful companion; it is very sociable, and loves to come and squat close to one to be petted. It is most useful in the garden, as it spends a great deal of its time searching for caterpillars, snails, worms, and grubs of all kinds; should, however, any young chickens or ducks be about, it is well to keep the bird under restraint, as these are delicacies which even the best regulated "Brom" cannot resist.

When resting, the whole length of the tarsus is applied to the ground, and the head is almost withdrawn between the capacious wings, so that only the beak protrudes. It is always hungry, and will eat almost anything from bread and butter to the entrails of fish and poultry. Anything thrown to it is caught in the air with great dexterity between the tips of the bill, and is then tossed up and swallowed; but, when a specially dainty morsel is offered, it will bring it in its beak, with wings uplifted and wattle puffed out, and show it to its master with much "bromming."

I am indebted to the kindness of Miss A. Treggold for the accompanying photograph, which is by far the most successful of a great many attempts made by my friends to portray this very interesting pet.