446 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
bees attack its eyes, and sometimes succeed in blinding it: the 
unfortunate bird, incapable of guiding itself, then perishes in sight of 
the place that witnessed its triumph. The Hottentots esteem Honey- 
guides very highly, on account of the services which they render 
them in revealing the abodes of bees, and they therefore scruple to 
kill them. 
The group of Cuckoos is supplemented by several more species 
nearly allied to the genus Cuckoo, upon which it is useless for us to 
enlarge. 
—— 
Fig. 172,—European Cuckoo. 
Anis have bulky, short, very compressed beaks, surmounted by a 
slight and sharp crest. They inhabit the countries of Equatorial 
America, and live in troops of from thirty to forty in the midst of 
savannahs and marshes. They feed upon reptiles and insects; they 
are often seen to alight upon cattle, to devour the insect parasites 
which torment them; hence comes their scientific name of Cvofo- 
phaga, or eaters of insects. They are of very gentle, confiding 
natures, and the sight of man does not frighten them ; besides, there 
is no advantage in killing them, for their flesh exhales a repulsive 
odour. Taken young, they become very familiar, and are as quick as 
Parrots in learning the art of speaking. They possess the instinct of 
sociability in the highest degree ; so much so, that they do not even 
