24 BUPHAGA AFRICANA 



'Lake N'ganii,' that this bird ' is also a frequent eouipaniou 

 of the rhinoceros, to which, besides being of service in ridding 

 him of many of the insects that infest his hide, it performs 

 the important part of seutineL On many occasions has this 

 watchful bird prevented me from getting" a shot at that beast ; 

 the moment it suspects danger it flies almost perpendicularly 

 up into the air, uttering sharp shrill notes that never fail to 

 attract the attention of the rhinoceros, who, without waiting 

 to ascertain the cause, almost instantly seeks safet}' in a 

 precipitate flight.' 



" Mr. Ayres also writes : ' This species is a pest to the 

 hunter, of whose approach it warns the buffalo and rhinoceros 

 by its loud harsh note, which is perfectly understood by its 

 huge friends.' 



" According to Mr. J. G. Millais, who gives a most excellent 

 account of this species, accompanied by five drawings, in his 

 delightful 'A Breath from the Veldt,' the Ehinoceros Bird 

 attaches itself most frequently to the rhinoceros, the Cape 

 buffalo, the sable antelope, and the water-hog, as well as the 

 koodoo. He writes : ' The prehensile power of the claws is, as 

 I found by experience, so great, that when a dead bird which 

 had grow^n stiff was thrown on to the back or sides of an ox, so 

 that the feet touched the animal's hide, the claws held fast 

 at once, and could not be easily withdrawn. It is most 

 interesting to notice the way in which a party of these birds 

 will move about on the body of a horse or ox, searching every 

 part of him as they run or hop over it in the most lively 

 fashion. At the risk of being accused of telling a traveller's 

 yarn, I must state the fact they can hop backwards quite as 

 well as forwards, and they often make long hops downwards 

 from the shoulders to the foreleg, or down the side of the 

 animal, whose coat they are engaged upon. It is quite 

 immaterial to them how or in what direction thev move.' 



