PREFACE 



spending power of the citizens of the State. Arti- 

 ficial means, costing an immense annual expenditure 

 of money, are taken in most countries with the 

 object of endeavouring to combat the hosts of insect 

 and other pests which keep back progress, develop- 

 ment, and expansion. The necessity for such ex- 

 penditure, or at least a considerable proportion of 

 it, has arisen through allowing the insectivorous 

 birds and useful animals to be wantonly destroyed 

 or driven away. In the more populous centres of 

 civilisation it is now too late to preach this gospel 

 of the conservation of animals, birds, and reptiles 

 useful to man ; but not so in South Africa, and 

 many other countries where civilised man has not 

 yet become fully established. 



The object aimed at in the series of books I am 

 now engaged upon during my leisure hours is to 

 furnish reliable information about the ways and 

 habits of the animals with which we so frequently 

 come in contact, and which we often so foolishly 

 maim and kill. 



From an early age I have been accumulating the 

 facts which are set forth in this book, and which 

 will be detailed in subsequent volumes. 



This set of books was ready for publication in 

 1914, but owing to the war their publication was 

 deferred. The opportunity has been taken to 

 revise them and introduce fresh facts and illus- 

 trations. 



To Mr. W. L. Sclater is due the honour of first 

 ix 



