SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



under the bark. It may often be seen searching for insects 

 in the crevices of rocks. It also eats seeds of grasses and weeds, 

 and sometimes the young buds of trees. 



Cape Sparrow, or Mossie. 



[Pnsser arcuatus.) 



Diet. — Seeds of grasses and weeds. They prey largely on 

 insects. In autumn and winter these birds assemble in flocks and 

 often consort with weavers and finches and do much damage to 

 crops of grain, chiefly wheat and millet. There are two other 

 less known species whose diet is similar to that of the mossie. 



Seed-Eaters and Canaries. 



Streep-Kop Seisje, Geel Saysie, Kleine Seisje, Dik- 



Bek Seisje, Berg Canarie, Pietje Canarie. 



(Genera — Poliospi'za^ Serinus^ Alario^ and Chrysomitr'is.) 



Diet. — Seeds of grasses and weeds, and a large assortment of 

 insects and their larvae. The larger seed-eaters also feed on 

 berries and buds. 



The Buntings. 

 Streep-Kopje, Streep-Kop Mossie. 



(Genera — Embenza and Fr in gill aria.) 



Diet. — Consists largely of insects, and to a lesser degree on 

 seeds of weeds and grasses. 



Larks. 



Dubhelde Leeuwick, Clapart Leeuwick, Inkelde 



Leeuwick, Kalkcentje, Cut-throat lark, etc. 



(Genera — Pyrrhulauda^ Ammomanes.^ Calendula^ Galerita.^ Mira- 

 fra^ Spi'zocorys.y Tephrocorys.^ Otocorys^ Heterocorys^ Alcemon.^ 

 Certhaiida^ and Ma cr onyx.) 



Diet. — The many species of larks grouped under the above 

 twelve genera constitute the feathered policemen of the karoo, 



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