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Geoffery H. Clark—Some Birds of the Veld



I once came upon a company of them that had just demolished

a dead horse. They were so gorged that they could not fly, and just

lurched about with a queer drunken dignity. Upon a rock, a few

yards from his flock sat the King Aasvogel, supported ludicrously

upon an outstretched wing. The others reeled about uttering gurgling,

hiccupping cries. The place smelt like a charnel-house. In a spirit

of mischief I secured a catapult and flicked up the King as he sat on

his rock. He gave a loud cry of protest and tumbled off his rock and

straightway engaged in a violent quarrel with one of his courtiers.

They were too tight to do each other much damage, however, and

nearly overcome with the stench, I left them to it. Later that day

they were gone. They will not eat any animal that has been struck

by lightning as even they cannot stomach the sulphurous taste of

such meat, but apart from this they will clean up any carcase. As

such they are useful beasts and are protected by the Government.


Very different is the Lammerfanger (Lamb-snatcher) which is a

species of grey eagle. These pestilential birds cause great havoc

among the young lambs, but as they are very capable of looking after

themselves, do not fall a victim to powder and shot as often as could

be desired. I once secured one who was sitting on top of a thorn bush

waiting a favourable opportunity to steal one of our lambs. It took

me nearly half an hour to stalk within the limited range of a twelve

for which I had nothing greater than No. 6, but it was worth it from

all points of view.


As well as the Lammerfanger, there are many sorts of Hawks,

ranging from the Kestrel, which is very similar in size and colour

to our bird of that name, up to the big 6 ft. Eagle Hawks. After

the Kestrel comes the Grey Kestrel. He is little bigger in size but

looks more like a Wood Pigeon in colour, being grey and white. He

has a wicked red eye. Neither of these two is particularly harmful,

but occasionally they follow the example of their larger cousins, the

Brown and Grey Chicken Hawks, and steal chicks. I must confess,

however, that to me the only good Hawks are dead Hawks and I

usually attempted to deal faithfully with them.


Owls there were a-plenty, from the Great Horned Owl down to one

who so strongly reminded me of our noxious Little Owl that I always



