io ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



while on some evenings a dozen birds may be in sight in 

 the air at one time, months may pass without anything 

 of the kind occurring. 



THE DIKKOPS. Two species of these are described 

 in south Africa, the Cape Thickknee and the Water 

 Thickknee. Like the bustards they are three-toed 

 birds, and are found in pairs or small parties. They have 

 a silent flight and a curious method of walking and 

 running, the head being jerked forward with each step. 

 They crouch and hide in the grass and bush even more 

 than the knorhaans. 



CHAPTER III 

 GAME BIRDS 



Guinea-fowls : Pheasants : Francolins : Quails : The 

 Sandgrouse : Snipe : Waterfowl 



MOST of the African game birds are contained in the 

 family which comprises the guinea-fowls, so-called 

 pheasants, francolins and quails. Consequent on their 

 many natural enemies, their numbers within any given 

 area fluctuate very much from season to season. Thus, 

 after a wet summer, when the grass has been long, 

 providing plentiful cover, and a good supply of insect 

 and other food, they are usually numerous ; but when 

 conditions are reversed, young and old birds suffer so 

 much, and so few eggs get the chance of hatching, that 

 their total is relatively small in the following winter. 



THE CROWNED GUINEA-FOWL. This is the common 

 guinea-fowl of south Africa, its range extends northwards 

 to about south latitude fifteen degrees and roughly 

 between longitudes twenty degrees and thirty-five 

 degrees. 



