DIKKOPS 131 



spicuous crest ; below white, with a band of dark brown 

 across the chest. 



This bird derived its Boer name from its supposed 

 fondness for the gum which exudes from the bark of the 

 Mimosa tree. 



It is fairly evenly distributed over South Africa, but it 

 is nowhere common. 



All the Bustards lay two eggs, of some shade of pale 

 brown blotched with darker, on the bare veld in a mere 

 depression in the ground. 



They are for the most part insect feeders, varying this 

 by a few berries, a little grain, and weed seeds. 



Apart from their economic value as food, they do an 

 immense amount of good by devouring termites and 

 locusts, and as such should be prohibited from being 

 sold in the game shops. 



DIKKOPS. 



The Family (EdicnemidcB is represented in South 

 Africa by two somewhat similar species. The largest of 

 the two, the Bush Dikkop ((Edicnemus capensis) is pale 

 red-brown above mottled with black ; breast sandy 

 coloured fading into white on the belly. Legs and feet 

 yellow. 



It inhabits the open thorn scrub, finding its way 

 occasionally on to the flats, but seldom wandering far 

 from the " bush " localities. It may be found in small 

 parties during the winter months, but pairs off in the 

 breeding season. 



It feeds chiefly on various insects and seeds. It has 

 a loud plaintive call which may often be heard on bright 

 moonlight nights, a fact which has earned for them the 

 name of Moonbirds in some districts. 



