216 OENAMENTS OF THE VELD 



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 (Edicnemidse is represented in South Africa 

 by two somewhat similar species. The largest of the two, 

 the Bush Dikkop {CEdicnemus capensis) is pale brownish 

 above mottled with black ; breast sandy-coloured fading 

 injio white on the beUy. Legs and feet yellow. Length, 

 18^ inches ; wing, 9 inches. 



It inhabits the open thorn scrub, finding its way occa- 

 sionally 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. 



Its flesh is excellent eating, and the bird forms no mean 

 item in the sportsman's bag, both in the scrub of the Orange 

 Free State veld and in the plantations along the Eand. 



It lays two eggs of a greyish colour spotted and blotched 

 with dark and light brown, and measuring about 2 inches by 



