56 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



are several species. This is a frequently repeated 

 " Coo-coo-coo, coo, coo, coo," gradually dying away into 

 a minor key. These birds are non-parasitic in their 

 nesting habits. 



THE HONEY-GUIDES are among the most interesting 

 birds in Africa. Their habits of guiding the ratel, as well 

 as human beings, to bees' nests was first described by 

 Sparrman in the early part of the last century ; but so 

 remarkable is the reasoning power displayed in all their 

 actions, as described by writers who have observed them 

 since that time, that even at the present day many 

 newcomers to Africa remain incredulous until they have 

 witnessed the performance for themselves. I have always 

 been as much impressed by the bird's wonderful per- 

 tinacity as by its intelligence. It not only asks, but 

 insists, that you shall follow it, and will pursue you 

 doggedly for miles in the opposite direction from that in 

 which it desires you to go, uttering an incessant grating 

 twittering. Although when following it to a nest natives 

 always whistle and croon to it a custom perhaps 

 originally imitated from the ratel I have seldom noticed 

 it to require encouragement, and its disappointment and 

 anger are perfectly obvious should you turn and go off 

 in another direction. 



When trying to get up to game, the attendance of a 

 honey-guide is one of the most annoying things imagi- 

 nable ; all animals, whether ungulate or carnivorous, 

 appear instantly to recognize that its call is indicative 

 of human presence and at once become on the alert. 

 On such occasions, stones hurled at it appear for the 

 moment, but not permanently, to discourage it ; it no 

 doubt feels that, given a few minutes to reflect, you are 

 certain to repent of your folly in trying to drive it away, 

 and so decides to give you another chance. It is inter- 



