172 THE HONEY-CUCKOO. 



When the daisy decks the village-green, 

 And the early primrose-flowers are seen ; 

 When the forest-buds begin to swell, 

 And the violets spring in the sheltered dell. 



Cu ckoo ! cuckoo ! cuckoo ! I cry, 

 And the children hear me joyfully ; 

 As with laugh and bound they hasten out, 

 The valley rings with their merry shout. 

 Gleeful and gladly they frolic along, 

 And cheerily mock the cuckoo's song. 

 Cuckoo ! cuckoo ! cuckoo ! they cry : 

 They are light of heart, and so am I. 



ORDER SCANSORES. 



Honey- Cuckoo. 

 Cuculus Indicator. 



THE indicators are species of cuckoo found in 

 Africa, and celebrated for feeding on honey. 

 They serve as guides in the discovery of the 

 hives of wild honey. Among these, one of whose 

 habits the most minute details have been given, 

 is the honey-cuckoo. This bird is found in 

 various parts of Africa ; and its favourite food is 

 honey, and the larvae of bees. On these delica- 

 cies, however, it cannot regale; until the bee's- 



