NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 

 The Barbet. 



(Genera — Lyhius^ Tricholcema^ Stactolcema^ Barhatula^ and 

 Trachyphonus.) 



Diet. — The many species of barbets inhabiting ^South Africa 

 all feed on wild fruits and berries, and in a minor degree on 

 insects. They may sometimes be noticed in orchards in pairs 

 feeding on the fruit. The resorts of the barbet are the forests, 

 thickets, and bushy country generally. 



The Cuckoo. 



(Genera — Cuculus., Chrysococcyx.^ and Coccystes.) 



Diet. — The cuckoos of these genera feed principally on 

 caterpillars taken from trees and shrubs. I have found cater- 

 pillars of various species in their stomachs, including the 

 hairy kinds. The hairs are partly removed by running the 

 caterpillars through the bill from side to side. The digestive 

 tract is tough and impervious to injury by the stiff hairs on 

 the prey they swallow. 



The caterpillar diet is supplemented by various other larvae 

 and adult insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and winged 

 termites. 



These genera of cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests, 

 and do not rear their own young. 



Cuckoos are in the front rank of birds of economic value 

 to man. They devour species of caterpillars which are dis- 

 tasteful to other birds. 



The Coucal. 



{Centropus and Ceuthmochares.) 



Diet. — The food of these coucals is the same as that of the 

 cuckoos. Several species are known as vlei louries, and the 

 other [Ceuthmochares) is the green coucal. The vlei louries 

 eat mice in addition to insects. 



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