SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



The Egret. 



(Genus — Herodias.) 



Diet. — The e<2;rets of this i2;enus are similar to the herons 

 in their diet and habits. 



Cattle Egret. 



{^Biihulcus ibis.) 



Diet. — Grasshoppers, locusts, beetles, and a variety of other 

 ground frequenting insects and their larvae. The cattle egret 

 is usually seen in the company of cattle and herds of large 

 antelopes, buffaloes, and elephants, and does magnificent service 

 in picking ticks from the bodies of these animals and feeding 

 on the gorged female ticks w^hich drop from their hosts to crawl 

 away and lay their many thousands of eggs. The cattle egret is 

 therefore of the highest possible economic value. 



The Bittern. 



(Genera — Ardetta and Botaurus.) 



Diet. — The bitterns skulk in the reed beds and the rushes 

 of swamps, and feed on lizards, frogs, tadpoles, and the various 

 kinds of insects which frequent these damp, marshy places. 

 The bittern often ventures out into the grass and scrub in 

 search of grasshoppers, caterpillars, and other insect life. The 

 Cape bittern or roerdomp is the best-known species. 



Sacred Ibis. 



[Ibis cethiopica.) 



Diet. — The sacred ibis or schoorsteen-veger (chimney 

 sweeper) frequents the coast and the margins of rivers, lakes, 

 ponds, and swampy lands in search of its food, which consists of 

 shellfish, small crabs, worms, and insects. 



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