NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



vogel. This bird, with the assistance of the white stork and 

 the wattled starling, attacks the migratory locusts on the wing 

 and in the wingless stages on the ground, and destroys entire 

 swarms. Those only who are aware of the devastation to 

 crops and pasturage caused by these locusts can fully appreciate 

 the incalculable services rendered by this bird and its colleagues. 

 Yet, notwithstanding the immense services it renders, it is a 

 common practice for people to shoot into flocks of these birds 

 with shot-guns to obtain the bodies of the victims for the pot. 

 This is one of the many results of neglecting to teach South 

 African economic natural history in our schools. 



The Jacana. 



(Genera — Actophllus and Microparra.) 



Diet. — Insects, fresh water Crustacea, and mollusca ; also 

 the seeds of water plants which it obtains by turning over the 

 floating vegetation. 



The Turnstone. 



{Arenaria interpres.) 



Diet. — The turnstone frequents the seashore and feeds on 

 small mollusca and Crustacea which it obtains by turning over 

 stones and seaweed. 



The Wattled Plover. 



(Genera — Lohtvanellus and Xiphidiopteriis.) 



Diet. — These birds haunt the sandy margins of rivers, 

 ponds, lakes, etc., and feed on insect and allied forms of life. 



The Lapwings and Plovers. 



(Genera — Hemiparra^ Hoplopterus^ Stephanihyx^ Squatarola^ and 



^gialitis.) 



Diet. — The lapwings and plovers frequent the open veld, 

 margins of rivers, lakes, ponds, lagoons, and swamps. Some 

 rpecies live almost exclusively on the veld, while others are 



56 



