OEDICNEMUS CAPENSIS. 



DIKKOP OR CAPE THICKNEE. 



(Plate 11.) 



Oedicnemus capensis, Lichtenstein, Verz. Doubl., p. 69 (1823) ; 

 Sharpe's ed. Layard Birds of S. Afr., p. 645 (1875-84) ; Nicolls 

 and Eglington, Sportsman in S. Afr., p. 120 (1892) ; Sharpe, 

 Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., xxiv, p. 15 (1896); Woodward. Natal 

 Birds, p. 179 (1899) ; Reichenow, Vogel Afrikas, i, p. 198 

 (1900-01) ; Sclater, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., m, p. 358 (1905) ; Sclater 

 and Stark, Birds of S. Afr., iv, p. 315 (1906). 



Local Names. "Dikkop" or "Thicknee" of colonists ; "Inquanqolo" 

 of the Amaxosa (Stanford) ; " Khoho-a-dira," i.e. " Fowl of the 

 enemy," of the Basutos (Murray). 



Description. The bird figured is a male. The sexes are alike. 

 Length about 18 J in. 



Distribution. This species is distributed all over South Africa from 

 Cape Town to the Zambesi. It also ranges beyond our Hmits 

 to Angola on the west and through Nyasaland and East Africa. 



The Dikkop is sometimes found on open stony country, 

 but I have usually met with it among the scattered acacia 

 bushes which fringe the course of most South African rivers, 

 and afiord excellent cover for many species of birds, both 

 large and small. Like its near relative the English Thicknee 

 (Oe. crepitans), it is thoroughly nocturnal, and the curious 

 triple squawking note may often be heard as the bird flies 

 about in the dark, high overhead. 



As a rule it squats on the approach of danger, but it 

 can run at great speed and has a powerful flight. Its dark 

 flesh is exceedingly good-eating and is not so dry as that 



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