54 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



EGRETS. These birds, of which four species are found 

 in south Africa, belong to the same family as the herons ; 

 they are all distinguished by their snowy white plumage 

 and carry, when in " full dress," long ornamental plumes 

 on their heads and shoulders. Three of the species haunt 

 pools and marshes, feeding on frogs, small fishes, and 

 shell fish, wading about and catching their prey in shallow 

 water. The fourth kind is known as the cattle egret, 

 and is found all over south Africa. It is the constant 

 companion, either in pairs or in small flocks, of the herds 

 of cattle, and relieves the beasts of the ticks which infest 

 them. The cattle egret is therefore rightly classed 

 among the most useful of the local birds, and is protected 

 by law. 



PIGEONS. The fruit, or as they are usually termed 

 green pigeons, are brightly clad in green and yellow 

 plumage, with their legs and part of their bills of a bright 

 red colour. They are usually seen through the open 

 forest country in small flocks, and fly swiftly from tree 

 to tree when disturbed. They feed on wild berries and 

 fruits. 



DOVES. These pretty and confiding little birds exist 

 in many species all over Africa. In the south much the 

 most common is the Cape Turtle Dove, which swarms 

 about the poultry yards and old gardens picking up 

 grain, and shortly before sundown may be seen flighting 

 in immense numbers, and at a great pace, to and from 

 the water. 



The little Namaqua Dove appears to be a winter 

 migrant to the eastern Transvaal low country. At any 

 rate, during two summers, when I was specially on the 

 alert for it, it did not put in an appearance at Sabi Bridge 

 at all, though plenty were to be seen by May. In 1911 

 I saw one pair in December. In Portuguese Nyasaland 



