122 SOME BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



protection, as the lining of the nests and the tops of 

 these excrescences were almost identical in colour. 



A nest that required a considerable amount of finding 

 was that of the Cape White-eye, a small bird closely 

 resembling in its habits some of our Tits. This bird 

 constructed its nest of a delicate green moss that grew 

 on the trunks of some of the trees, fastening it in one 

 instance to two slender branches that overlapped each 

 other, after the manner of a hammock. From below, 

 this nest had exactly the appearance of two leaves cross- 

 ing each other, and the moss, being of a dry nature, 

 would probably retain its colour as long as the nest was 

 in use. The same lining was employed here as in the 

 case of the Flycatchers, the three or four blue eggs look- 

 ing very conspicuous against the red-brown colour of 

 the inside of the nest ; the eggs, however, were protected 

 from view from above by the overhanging leaves of the 

 tree. These dull-green coloured little birds were very 

 fond of searching the branches of the trees for insects, 

 hanging on to the leaves in all sorts of curious positions. 



Among the most interesting of the forest birds, 

 owing to their unique habit of leading the natives to 

 the nests of bees, are the various kinds of Honey-guide. 

 Of these birds I cannot say much from my own ex- 

 perience, but as they are inhabitants of the district with 

 which we are dealing, perhaps I may be allowed to 

 quote from writers who have studied their habits. They 

 are small birds and are soberly coloured, and their 

 object in guiding human beings to bees' nests appears 

 to be, not that they may obtain the honey contained 

 therein, but so that they may feed on the grubs or 

 young bees which are to be found in the honey-comb. 



