SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



ORDER X.— COLUMBiE. 

 Delalande's Green Pigeon. 



{Vina go delalandi'i.) 



Diet. — This beautiful pigeon inhabits the forests, and sustains 

 itself on wild fruits and berries. 



The Pigeons and Doves. 



(Genera — Columha^ Turturoena.^ Turtur^ CEna., Trypanistna^ 

 Cha/cope/ia, and Haplopelia.) 



Diet. — Pigeons and doves live on wild fruits, berries, weed 

 seeds, and grain. Some of the species invade the newly planted 

 grain fields and feed on the visible seeds and pull up and eat those 

 which are sprouting. They also visit the grain and corn-fields 

 when the crops are ripening, and do considerable damage. 



There are many exceptions, however. The olive pigeon 

 {Columha arquatrix) frequents the forests and feeds on wild fruits 

 and berries, especially those of the wild olive tree. 



The tambourine dove (Tympanistria hicolor) confines itself 

 to the thick bush, and eats seeds, berries, etc. 



The emerald-spotted dove {Chalcopelia afra) also frequents 

 thickets, but ventures out more into the open in search of grass 

 seeds. 



The lemon dove [Haplopelia larvata) has similar habits 

 to those of the tambourine dove. 



These four bush-loving species and the green pigeon do 

 little or no harm, but most of the remainder of the pigeon and 

 dove tribe, when too numerous, are more or less a pest to the 

 grower of grain of any description. The nestlings of all the 

 pigeon and dove tribe are fed on half-digested seeds, berries, and 

 grain regurgitated from the crops of the parents. 



Pigeons and doves readily devour winged termites and a 

 limited number of insects. The ring dove and the laughing 

 dove are the two species which are the most troublesome to 

 growers of grain crops. 



47 



