CH. xii] THE NZOI 335 



of the smaller kinds they usually speak of as rams and 

 ewes. 



W^hile on safari to tiie 'Nzoi 1 was even mt)re in- 

 terested in honey-birds which led us to honey than 1 

 was in the game. John Burroughs had especially 

 charged me before starting for Africa to look personally 

 into tliis extraordinary habit of the honey-bird — a habit 

 so extraordinary that he was inclined to disbelieve the 

 reality of its existence. But it un(|uestionably does 

 exist. Every experienced hunter and every native who 

 lives in the wilderness has again and again been an eye- 

 witness of it. Kerniit, in addition to his experience in 

 the Sotik, had been led by a honey-bird to honey in a 

 rock near Lake Hannington. Once while I was track- 

 ing game a honey-bird made his appearance, chattering 

 loudly and Hying beside us. 1 let two of the porters 

 follow it, and it led them to honey. On the morning 

 of the day we reached the 'Xzoi a honey-bird appeared 

 beside the safari, behaving in the same manner. Some 

 of the men begged to be allowed to follow it. While 

 they were talking to me, the honey-bird flew to a big 

 tree fifty yards off, and called loudly as it flitted to and 

 fro in the branches ; and sure enough there was honey 

 iu the tree. 1 let some of the men stay to get the 

 honey ; but they found little except comb filled with 

 grubs. Some of this was put aside for the bird, which 

 ate the orubs. The natives believe that misfortune will 

 follow any failure on their part to leave the honey-bird 

 its share of the booty. They also insist that sometimes 

 the honey-bird will lead a man to a serpent or wild 

 beast ; and sure enough Dr. ^learns was once thus led 

 up to a rhinoceroso \\ hile camped on the 'Xzoi, the 

 honey-birds were almost a nuisance. They were very 

 common, and were continually accompanying us as we 



