NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



tip of the mandibles, thrown into the air, caught, and 

 swallowed. 



Large snakes are attacked by the bird with wings outspread 

 to serve as a shield, and the reptile is pecked to death. The 

 hornbill then nips its prey from head to tail, and swallows it 

 head first. The flesh is carefully picked out of tortoises, leaving 

 the carapace intact. 



The ground hornbill strides along and does not hop, and can 

 run at a fairly fast pace. When hard pressed it rises on the wing, 

 flies about a mile, alights, and runs to cover, or perches on a 

 tree. They sleep in trees at night so as to be out of reach of 

 night-prowling carnivorous animals. I have often encountered 

 them seeking roasted insects on freshly burned veld and hill- 

 sides. 



The bird is easy to tame, and will wander about the home- 

 stead like a domestic fowl, returning nightly to roost. It has 

 a voracious appetite, and spends most of its time in searching the 

 neighbourhood for snakes, snails, caterpillars, beetles, and other 

 pests. When kindly treated it shows its affection in a variety 

 of ways. It loves to be caressed, and will squat down awkwardly 

 by one's side and invite attention. 



The cry of the hornbill is a loud, penetrating boom-boom, 

 which carries a considerable distance. The male calls to the 

 female, and she answers in a higher pitched note. When 

 attacking a large snake they also give forth this characteristic 

 boom, meanwhile dancing and jumping round their intended 

 prey. 



The nest is a structure of sticks on the top of a large tree 

 trunk, or in a cavity in a decayed tree trunk. Failing such 

 sites, they build a nest of sticks on the branches at the top of a 

 tree. The eggs are white, but usually dirty and stained ; size 

 of eggs, 2.95 by 1.80. 



In times of drought the natives consult the " rain doctor," 

 who orders a ground hornbill to be killed. A stone is then 

 attached to its neck and the body is cast into a pond, vlei, or 

 stream. The belief is that the bird's flesh, having an offensive 

 odour, will make the water so sick that rain will fall abundantly 

 to flush out the evil smell. 



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