220 HISTORY OF 



they answer with a soft whistle, which the bird 

 hearing, always continues its note. As soon as 

 they are in sight of each other, the bird gra- 

 dually flutters towards the place where the hive 

 is situated, continually repeating its former call 

 ofcherr, cherr : nay, if it should happen to have 

 gained a considerable way before the men, (who 

 may easily be hindered in the pursuit by bushes, 

 rivers, or the like), it returns to them again, and 

 redoubles its note, as it were to reproach them 

 with their inactivity. At last the bird is observ- 

 ed to hover for a few moments over a certain spot, 

 and then silently retiring to a neighbouring bush 

 or resting-place, the hunters are sure of finding 

 the bees' nest in that identical spot, whether it 

 be in a tree, or in the crevice of a rock, or (as is 

 most commonly the case) in the earth. Whilst 

 the hunters are busy in taking the honey, the 

 bird is seen looking on attentively to what is 

 going forward, and waiting for its share of the 

 spoil. The bee-hunters never fail to leave a 

 small portion for their conductor ; but common- 

 ly take care not to leave so much as would satisfy 

 its hunger. The bird's appetite being whetted by 

 this parsimony, it is obliged to commit a second 

 treason, by discovering another bees' nest, in 

 hopes of a better salary. It is further observed, 

 that the nearer the bird approaches the hidden 

 hive, the more frequently it repeats its call, and 

 seems the more impatient. I have had frequent 

 opportunities of seeing this bird, and have been 

 witness to the destruction of several republics of 

 bees by means of its treachery. I had, however, 



