SOUTH Al^'RICAN BIRDS AND THKIR DIET 



dreaded scale insects (Scliizoneurcr) and sip the nectar of 

 eucalyptus Howers. At certain seasons the white eye supple- 

 ments its insect diet with soft fruits, berries, and the sweet 

 juices of flowers. The latter habit aids largely in the cross 

 fertilisation of plants. In orchards when the fruit is ripe it 

 does some harm if in large flocks. 



The Tits. 



(Genera — Par us and Egithalus.) 



Diet. — The food of the tits consists entirely of insects which 

 they capture amongst stones and rocks and amidst small bushes, 

 shrubs, and scrub. One species frequents the forests and 

 bush-veld, where it may be seen in little parties searching the 

 tops of the trees for small caterpillars and beetles. 



The Shrike. 



Jack Hangman or Butcher Bird, Cock-a-Vick, 

 Spook Vogel, etc. 



(Genera — Urolestes^ LaniuSy Eurocephalus^ Nilaus^ Telephonus., 

 Dryoscopus^ Lanarius.^ Nicator^ Lanioturdus., Sigmodus^ and 

 Prionops.) 



Diet. — The above eleven genera of shrikes include the 

 typical shrikes, the bush shrikes, and the helmet shrikes. The 

 food of every species consists of insects and their larvae. They 

 take a considerable number of insects on the wing. They are 

 the policemen of the veld, the crops, the orchards, and the 

 forests. Shrikes are in the front rank of birds of economic value. 

 They devour caterpillars and beetles which are noxious to other 

 families of birds, also mice. 



The Babblers. 



(Gen us — Crater opodida;. ) 



Diet. — Insects and their larvae which they obtain on the 

 ground and amidst tangled undergrowth and dense thickets. 



