242 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



478. Indicator Variegatus, Less.; /. 



lantiiy Bp. ; I. Maculicollis, Sunde. ; /. Sparrmanni, 

 Leadb. 



GENERAL colour above, dull olive-green, changing to yellow 

 on the wings ; below dirty yellowish- white, immaculate on 

 the centre of the belly and vent, but much variegated on the 

 throat, breast, flanks, and thighs, with brown ; forehead 

 speckled with white. The tail consists of twelve feathers, 

 thus marked : two innermost pair all brown ; one pair follow- 

 ing white, with portion of inner web brown ; three outer 

 pair white, with brown tips ; the outermost pair very short. 

 Length, 7" 6'" ; wing, 4" 4"' ; tail, 3" 4"'. 



I shot a solitary specimen of this Honey -Guide at the Knysna. It 

 was flitting about some bushes in the forest. The bill in this species 

 is stronger and more curved than in I. Major, and the edge of the 

 upper mandible more scalloped. 



With respect to the oft-repeated story of the Honey -Guide leading 

 persons to the nest of the honey-bee, it is as well to mention that the 

 bird will perform the same antics, and utter the same cries, to lead any 

 one to a leopard, wild cat, or snake, or will even follow a dog with the 

 same vociferations. 



479. Indicator Albirostris, Temm. 5 PL Col. 



867; Cuv., VoL 2, p. 462; /. Leucotis, Swain. W. 

 Af., Vol. 2, p. 193; J. Flaviscapulatis, Riipp ; Gucu- 

 lus Indicator t Linn. 



GENERAL colour, brownish- grey, lightest on the breast, and 

 fading to pure white on the belly, vent, and thighs, these 

 latter marked with broad streaks of brown ; rump white, 

 streaked in the same way ; outer margins of all the wing- 

 feathers dirty yellowish-white, those of the secondaries being 

 the most marked ; ear-tufts white ; chin and upper part of 

 throat black ; the two middle tail-feathers entirely brown ; 

 the next pair have the inner webs, with the exception of 

 the tip, white, and the outer three are all white, except 

 at the tips ; the outermost feather is in this, and /. Major, 

 considerably the shortest. Length, 7" &" ; wing, 4" 4"' ; 

 tail, 3" 3'". 



A specimen was obtained near Swellendam by Mr. Cairncross ; and 

 the Messrs. Atmore sent me a second from the same locality. It is, 

 however, a very scarce species. 



