SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



on the statement that these birds eat snakes, and I have found 

 snakes on several occasions in their crops, but in every instance 

 they were of the back-fanged [Opisthoglypha) or solid-toothed 

 {Jglypha) species. This fact, however, does not add to the 

 usefulness of these birds for the reason that the majority of 

 non-venomous and slightly venomous snakes are of great 

 economic value to man. 



The buzzards are birds which may safely be listed as pests. 



The Kite. 



(Genus — Mihus.) 



Diet. — The kite is a fearless and rapacious bird, and has 

 become a noted chicken thief. It preys on almost any species 

 of living creature it is able to overpower. It is extremely 

 fond of locusts which it captures on the wing. Even carrion 

 does not come amiss to this greedy bird. 



Black-shouldered Kite. 



{Elanus carulens.) 



Diet. — The witte sperwel, as this bird is often termed, feeds 

 chiefly on rats, mice, and large insects. It preys occasionally 

 on small birds, but those it captures are usually sick or feeble 

 specimens. When driven by hunger this hawk will swoop 

 down on unprotected chickens, but it does very little harm in 

 this way. It is a bird of considerable economic value. Should 

 any individual hawk become a chicken thief, it should certainly 

 be shot, but it is foolish and criminal to shoot all others at sight. 

 I have carefully observed this kite for twenty years, and I have 

 never known it to take chickens. The contents of the crops 

 examined have shown the diet to be insects, rats, and mice. 

 Locusts often predominated. 



Honey Buzzard. 



{Pernis apivorus.) 



Diet. — Rodents, lizards, and insects. 



