336 



SCANSORES. 



SUB-FAMILY L 

 Indicatorin^. The Indicators, or Iloney-yuides. 



Gen. Charac— Bill short, broad at the base, with the culmen curved, and the 

 sides compressed to the tip, which is entire ; the nostrils lateral and placed 

 near the culmen in a membranous groove ; the wings long and pointed ; the 

 tail moderate and emarginated ; the tarsi very short, and covered with trans- 

 verse broad scales ; the toes unequal, and the outer anterior toe the longest ; 

 the claws moderate and strong. 



Jig. 137.— the spotted honey-guide. 

 {Indicator macnlatus.) 



These birds inliabit tlie wooded districts of Africa, 

 the forests of India, and the island of Borneo ; they 

 are usually found in pairs near the nests of wild 

 bees, which are located in the trunks of trees. The 

 honey stored up in these nests constitutes their 

 chief food, and they often pay dearly for their 



