SUGAR-BIRDS 



13 



friends of the farmer, for although subsisting largely on 

 nectar sucked from the flowers of protea \ bushes and 

 other blooms, they feed extensively on various 'insects. 



FIG. 7. Cape Long-tailed Sugar-bird at nest. (The nest, with egg 

 just visible, is near the lower left-hand corner.) 



They are amongst the few winter breeders in South 

 Africa, nesting from May to July. The nest is a deep 

 cup of twigs, dry grass and roots, lined with pine-needles 



