of some South-African Birds. 21 



8. Indicator major Steph. ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 6. 

 In November 1891^ at Blue Krantz, in the Uitenhage 



division, I noticed one of these Honey-guides being chased 

 by two Drongos, the nest of which we saw on the top of a 

 high euphorbia. We could distinctly make out the trans- 

 parent egg of the Honey-guide along with the more opaque- 

 M'hite eggs of the Drongo, of Avhich there were three. 



9. Indicator variegatus Less. ; Shelley, Cat, B. xix. p. 7. 

 In February 1895 I was encamped on the Zwart-kop 



river^ near Springfield, in the Uitenhage district. Here 

 every day one of these birds came up close to our camp, and on 

 six occasions led us to the nests of wild bees among the trees 

 and neighbouring rocks. The Honey-guide would perch ou 

 some tree and commence calling " cha-cha-cha," to attract 

 our attention. We followed its lead, talking to the bird all 

 the while, as I was assured by my companions that unless 

 we " kept up the conversation " the bird Avould leave us : so 

 we answered in such terms as " Pretty Jennie,'^ " Good 

 bird,^^ or '' Here we are.'" When we got to the vicinity of 

 the nest, the bird would not go close, but kept a little 

 distance off, leaving us to search for the exact spot, which 

 was easily found by watching the passing bees *. 



10. Indicator minor Steph. ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 9. 



I have often watched this bird killing bees at a hive, but 

 have never known it lead any one to a nest of wild bees. At 

 Blue Krautz, in October 1898, I was nesting up a gorge, 

 and heard some strange noises in the dense bush overhead. 

 I therefore lay in the shade to watch, thinking it was some 

 small mammal fighting. After some time I saw a Honey- 

 guide fly to a hole in the trunk of a tree and endeaA^our to 

 enter. It was, however, opposed by a male Barbet [Melano- 

 lucco torquatus) , which was shortly afterwards joined by the 

 female, and the Honey-guide was very soon hustled out, and 

 flew off across the gully, closely followed by the female 

 Barbet, chattering and fighting all the while. 



In about five minutes the Honey-guide reappeared, and 



* [On this subject see the letter in ' The Ibis/ 1900, p. 691.— Edd.] 



