SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



The Sparrow Hawk. 



(Genus — Acciptter. ) 



Diet. — These hold, fearless little hawks prey on small 

 i5irds, rats, mice, lizards, and insects. They often swoop 

 from a tree or copse on to unsuspecting chickens and carry them 

 off; or, if too large, the prey is killed and the hawk feeds upon 

 it on the ground. 



In localities where grain-eating birds are a pest the sparrow 

 hawk is very useful, but otherwise it does more harm than good. 



The Goshawk. 



(Genus — Astur.) 



Diet. — The goshawk of the genus Astur preys chiefly on 

 rats and mice. It also feeds in a minor degree on lizards, small 

 birds, and insects. I made long and careful observations on the 

 goshawk in Natal, and have seen them scores of times feeding 

 on rats and dismembering them for their nestlings. The crop 

 examinations usually disclosed the remains of rats and insects. 

 On two occasions only have I found traces of bird victims in 

 their crops. 



The Goshawk. 



(Gen us — Me Her ax. ) 



Diet. — The goshawks of this genus, viz., the chanting gos- 

 hawks, mechow's goshawk, gabar goshawk, and the black 

 gabar prey chiefly on rats, mice, lizards, and insects. Game 

 birds and nestling birds sometimes fall victims to these goshawks. 



The Harrier. 



(Genus — Circus.) 



Diet. — The food of the harriers consists chiefly of rats, mice, 

 ground frequenting birds, lizards, frogs, and large insects. They 

 also prey on the nestlings and eggs of birds which build their 

 nests on the ground. All the smaller members of the hawk 

 tribe prey on young birds which have recently left the nest and 

 are too feeble in flight to escape. 



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