64 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



warning him of the approach of danger. They of course 

 do the same for any other animals, and are among the 

 difficulties every bush hunter has to contend with. 

 When alarmed, they generally fly up into the surrounding 

 trees, uttering a continuous husky chatter. I have 

 foimd that their procedure when with tame animals 

 differs from that adopted when with game, for, seated 

 in rows on the back of an ox, they do not appear to pay 

 the least attention to the approach of a human being, 

 whereas in the bush they will fly off the antelopes or 

 buffalo, when one is still some distance off. 



Although they are certainly of benefit to cattle, and 

 make no more impression on their hides than they do 

 on these of the wild ruminants, it is otherwise with 

 donkeys, to which they do as much harm as good. Not 

 content with picking off the ticks, they proceed to enlarge 

 the little abrasion which the insect leaves behind it, until 

 at last a yawning cavity, streaming with blood, is formed. 

 The least gall or chafe on the withers, or elsewhere, is 

 at once attacked and enlarged, the birds appearing 

 to enjoy consuming the living flesh and blood. Not the 

 least remarkable point is that the donkeys habitually 

 take no notice whatever of the birds, however much they 

 suffer, and make not the smallest effort to get rid of 

 them, being in this way quite different from horses, which, 

 will not endure their presence for a moment. Therefore, 

 to keep donkeys in good condition where tick birds 

 abound, requires the most constant watchfulness. In 

 fact, at Sabi Bridge it has always been necessary to 

 employ a small boy, whose sole duty consists in scaring 

 them from the donkeys while at grass. 



These starlings can cling to an animal's body at any 

 angle ; on the sides, between the legs, even under the 

 body, and their temporary host, thoroughly under- 



