174 THE HONEY-CUCKOO. 



impatient of delay. Sometimes, in his eagerness 

 to reach the point of attraction, he outstrips the 

 speed' of the hunters, and leaves them far be- 

 hind : then turning back, he flies to meet them, 

 and seems, by his redoubled cries, as if he would 

 upbraid them for the tardiness of their move- 

 ments, and urge them to proceed with greater 

 rapidity. Arrived at the nest, the little bird 

 stays his flight, and pausing, with outspread 

 wing, hovers over the spot for a few seconds, 

 long enough to indicate it to his followers : then 

 flying to a neighbouring tree or bush, he con- 

 ceals himself in the foliage, and patiently waits 

 for his share of the booty, which the hunters do 

 not fail to leave for one who has proved himself 

 so much their benefactor. 



These birds are considered so valuable by the 

 inhabitants, that they will not permit any of them 

 to be destroyed. 



THE HONEY-BIRD'S SONG. 



Give heed, give heed to the honey-bird's song, 

 With my cheer, cheer, cheer, the wild woods among ; 

 Tho' far in the forest perchance I may fly, 

 The hunter of honey must follow my cry, 

 Till in clefted rocks, or in hollow trees, 

 I find out the stores of the forest-bees. 

 Give heed to my notes, so shrill and clear : 

 Come follow the honey -bird, cheer, cheer, cheer. 



