LOCUSTS AND GRASSHOPPERS {ACRIDIID.E). 127 



Locusts Enemies. 



For dread of their hereditary enemies the locust-birds, 

 the locusts will exert their extraordinary powers of flight ; 

 they are thought to travel day and night until com- 

 pletely exhausted, in the effort to elude these arch- 

 enemies' pursuit and attack. But all in vain ; sooner or 

 later the birds overtake the locusts, There is the brown 

 swallow-like locust-bird {Glarcola Nordnianni), the locust- 

 eating stork {Ciconia alba), the grey mottled starling 

 (Diiop/iiis cariinadatiis), and others. All these are not 

 only gregarious, but migratory as well, having no fixed 

 habitat, but follow on the trail of the locusts in Africa. 

 The first-named travels in multitudes second only to the 

 locusts themselves, and are in every respect built for 

 rapid flight. Coming up with their prey, according to 

 their favourite mode, the)' " fall to " at their feast in its 

 passage through the air. While they feed, at the same 

 time they cut ofT with their broad beaks the legs and 

 wings of the locusts they devour, which fall to the earth in 

 myriads — a curious and novel sight. In stormy weather, 

 when pursued by these birds, and they are unable to fly, 

 the locusts seek shelter amongst the shrubs and grasses, 

 creeping into them for concealment ; but the birds 

 descend in their train and hunt them up, taking advantage 

 also of them in the morning when they are numbed with 

 cold, and cannot rise. 



