NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



pest to the grower of grain. To shoot so useful an ally for mere 

 sport or the pot is a poor return for the services these birds render 

 to man. 



The francolins of the genus Pternistes inhabit the thick 

 scrub, plantations, and forests. When surprised feeding out in 

 the open, they instantly fly into their bushy retreats. 



The Quail. 



(Genera — Coturnix and Excalfactoria.) 



Diet. — The seeds of grasses and weeds. They also destroy 

 large quantities of ground frequenting insects, their larvas, and 

 eggs. The quail is of high economic value, and should be 

 brought under the protection of the law. To shoot a bird of 

 such economic value as the quail is distinctly wrong, both from 

 individual and State points of view. The chicks feed chiefly 

 on insect food. A hen quail lays up to eighteen eggs, and the 

 young are active at birth like the chicks of domestic fowls. 

 The quails migrate all over South Africa. Examinations of 

 crops of quails in the shooting season (winter) usually disclose 

 seeds of weeds and grasses. This is because the insect food 

 is scarce at this season, and insects are rapidly dissolved by the 

 digestive juices. 



The Guinea-Fowl. 



(Genera — Numida and Gutter a.) 



Diet. — Small wild bulbs, roots of certain grasses, seeds, and 

 a multitude of species of insects. The guinea-fowl renders im- 

 mense services to man by devouring locusts in both the winged 

 and wingless stages. It also digs up the locust eggs with its 

 powerful bill and feasts on them. It is incessantly digging into 

 the soil and scratching about in search of the larvas of destructive 

 insects and gorged female ticks. 



The guinea-fowl is a most valuable ally in our struggle 

 against insect pests. When guinea-fowls are abundant in the 

 neighbourhood of grain and corn-lands, they will certainly do 

 a good deal of damage ; and when this occurs it is essential to 



50 



