22 FLEAS, FLUKES AND CUCKOOS 



the flanks of the greater kudu antelope (Strepsiceros kudu) galloping at 

 full speed ! 



It is a remarkable but not altogether agreeable sight to see ox- 

 peckers "working" over the bodies of large mammals. In some ways 

 they remind one of nuthatches or tree-creepers searching a tree trunk 

 for insects, for they flatten themselves against any perpendicular 

 surface and use their tails and feet in much the same manner. On the 

 other hand the ease with which they move backwards and forwards is 

 distinctly reminiscent of certain feather lice. They run and hop about 

 the beast they are "de-lousing" in a very lively fashion, diligently 

 searching every portion of its body, and we are told, "They often make 

 long drops downwards from the shoulder to the foreleg or down the 

 side of the animal whose coat they are engaged upon ... If alarmed 

 when at work on a giraffe's long neck they descend rapidly like a rat or 

 a mouse down the whole length of the anatomy of the beast and finally 

 come to earth by way of its legs ! If endangered by the sweep of the 

 host's tail they flatten themselves still more and allow it to brush 

 lightly over them, or jump nimbly out of the way." This habit of 

 continually rising and resettling on the host's body was also observed by 

 Moreau who was reminded unpleasantly of blow-flies round a carcase. 

 However, their attentions appear welcome to these large animals who, 

 far from being irritated by the birds' fidgety behaviour, even tolerate 

 them clinging and crawling about their faces and heads. Most observers 

 have been impressed with the apparent understanding which exists 

 between the two partners, for the bird's presence appears to convey a 

 sense of well-being to the mammals. 



The crop contents of ox-peckers have been examined and their food 

 is found to consist mainly of ticks (an average of about forty ticks per 

 bird) and biting flies, although lice are also taken in smaller numbers. 

 In addition to ecto-parasites, clots of blood are frequently encountered 

 in the crops of ox-peckers, for they have developed the sinister habti 

 of eating the flesh and blood from the sores of cattle which they are 

 de-lousing. It is said that the birds do not inflict the wounds but merely 

 enlarge those which may already be present. They have, nevertheless, 

 in this way, become a nuisance to domestic cattle, particularly herds 

 which are in poor condition. The same tendencies are displayed by 

 the European starling in certain parts of the United States. Recently, 

 during an exceptionally cold spell of weather, when other sources of 

 food became scarce, the birds likewise began to eat the flesh wounds on 



