SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



Bald Ibis. 



{Geronticus calvus.) 



Diet. — The wilde kalkoen or wild turkey, as it is known in 

 South Africa, feeds on locusts, grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, 

 other insects, and earth worms, for which it probes with its long, 

 tough beak. It eats carrion on occasion. 



The Hadada Ibis. 



[Hagedashia hagedash.) 



Diet. — The food consists chiefly of insect life. This diet 

 is supplemented by small fish, tadpoles, frogs, Crustacea, and 

 mollusca. 



Glossy Ibis. 



[Plegadis falcinellns.) 



Diet. — The glossy ibis frequents marshes and the banks of 

 rivers, and feeds on small fishes, batrachia, Crustacea, and 

 various insects. 



African Spoonbill. 



{Plat ale a alba.) 



Diet. — It haunts lagoons and the muddy banks of rivers, 

 and devours small fishes, mollusca, Crustacea, and aquatic insects. 



ORDER VIII.— ODONTOGLOSSiE. 



The Flamingo. 



(Genus — Phcenicopterus.) 



Diet. — Flamingoes frequent mud flats, lagoons, salt water 

 lakes, and the seashore, and subsists on small mollusca and 

 Crustacea which they sift out of the mud with their bills, which 

 are specially adapted for the purpose. They also eat certain 

 seaweeds and grasses. 



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