164 BULLETIN 2 08, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



other mammalian associates. This, in turn, implies that not a small 

 nmnber of bees' nests must be available to the birds. In the eastern 

 Cape Province, Skead was shown a place where a swarm of wild bees 

 had started building their combs in a hollow about a foot in diameter 

 in an old tree. The combs were entirely exposed. A lesser honey- 

 guide (Indicator minor) was seen nearby, and within a week it had 

 removed it all, either by itself or with assistance from other honey- 

 guides. 



Nearby, near Kei Road, Ranger actually observed honey-guides 

 (Indicator indicator) entering a wild bees' nest and feeding there. 

 From his place of concealment near the hive he saw an immature bird 

 come to the hive. It very cautiously examined the surroundings and 

 then entered the sawed-off hollow stem that led at a slight incline to 

 the bees' nest three feet within. About a minute later it reappeared 

 at the entrance and paused there with a small piece of straw-colored 

 comb (at least, it looked like comb) in its bill, then flew off a few feet 

 and disposed of the comb, the exact method of dealing with the comb 

 remaining unobserved due to very thick vegetation. From here it 

 went back to the bees' hive and entered it a second time, came out 

 shortly after, and then flew off. A little later an adult male arrived 

 and, after being chased about by some fork-tailed drongos that were 

 eating bees, perched 30 feet above the hive for a long time and then 

 came down, warily moving closer, when it was driven off by a lesser 

 honey-guide (/. minor). Some days later more time was spent mak- 

 ing obsei'vations. A greater honey-guide (either adult female or very 

 advanced subadult bird) arrived at the hive and, after a careful and 

 cautious inspection of the surroundings, went to the entrance, went 

 in about nine inches, came back to the entrance, gave another look 

 about, and then disappeared down the long tunnel. The surge of 

 disturbed bees was distinctly heard. The bird was inside at least 

 15 seconds, and then out in a hurried flight and went away. 



The next day the immatm'e bird referred to at the beginning of 

 Ranger's notes alighted, remained quiet for about 17 minutes, and 

 then dropped down to the hive entrance. It went through the usual 

 semblance of alert searching about of the surroundings, and went in 

 and out of the hive by this entrance two or three times, and through 

 a second similar hole twice, and examined a third entrance hole to 

 the hive before departing exactly an hour and a half after first ap- 

 pearing. The longest time it was inside the hive was 55 seconds. On 

 emerging it wiped its bill but did not bring out any comb. 



On three occasions when a greater honey-guide came to the bees' 

 nest in Ranger's presence there was no chattering or other note given 

 by the bird. Ranger also saw /. minor and /. variegatus at this bees' 

 nest. 



