SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



The Pelican. 



(Genus — Pelecanus. ) 



Diet. — These birds frequent the seacoasts and are sometimes 

 found along the larger rivers and in marshes. Their diet consists 

 exclusively of hsh. 



ORDER VII.—HERODIONES. 



White-bellied Stork. 



[Jbdimia abdimti.) 



Diet. — Inhabits open, grassy country in the vicinity of 

 swamps and rivers, and feeds on small reptiles, fishes, Crustacea, 

 and a large assortment of insects. It is especially fond of 

 grasshoppers and locusts. 



Another stork of the genus Dissura frequents the bays and 

 swamps along the coast of Natal, and feeds on shellfish, crabs, 

 etc. It is rare in South Africa. 



The White Stork. 

 Springhaans Vogel, Great Locust Bird. 



(^Ciconta alba.) 



Diet. — Insects of various kinds which it finds on the ground. 

 This stork is extremely valuable on account of the tremendous 

 number of locusts it devours. For this reason alone the white 

 stork should be held sacred. 



Black Stork. 



(Ciconia nigra.) 



Diet. — In the drier inland districts the black stork feeds 

 chiefly on insects. It is fond, however, of frequenting the 

 mouths of tidal rivers and lagoons along the coasts, where it 

 feeds on small fishes, Crustacea, mollusca, etc. 



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