330 NATURAL HISTORY. 



point to tame Bees in a bark hive as readily as to those in the forest. This is natural, as the Bee 

 is the same ; the bark hive ' Musinga,' as it is named being simply fastened up in a tree, and left for 

 the Bees to come to. The object the bird has in view is clearly the young Bees. It will guide to nests 

 having 110 honey, and seems equally delighted if the comb containing the grubs be torn out, when it is 

 seen pecking at it." Many of the natives of South Africa believe that the bird will occasionally guide 

 the traveller, through sheer malice, to a Leopard or an Elephant ; but on this point there seems some 

 little doubt, to judge from a letter of Mrs. Barber, an accomplished lady and good observer in South 

 Africa : " What I wrote to you in a former letter is the opinion of many old bee-hunters in this part 

 of the country, who have no faith in the popular belief that leading to the Leopard is done on purpose. 

 My nine brothers, who were all brought up in this country, were all of them great hunters, as well as 

 sportsmen ; and during all the years of their experience, while they were living at Thai-field, where 

 Bees' nests were exceedingly plentiful, and where they were constantly in the habit of following these 

 birds, never once did the Honey Guide ever lead them purposely to any noxious animal. Many times, 

 in following the bird through dense woods, have they started various kinds of creatures ; but if they 

 did not neglect the bird for the purpose of hunting, she would continue her flight towards the Bees' 

 nest, regardless of the startled animals. One of my brothers once, while following a Honey Guide 

 through a dense forest near the Kowie, passed directly through a drove of wild Pigs. They were, 

 of course, more frightened than he was, and rushed about in every direction ; but my brother knowing 

 the popular belief, and wishing to test it, took not the slightest notice of the wild Pigs, but passed on, 

 keeping his eye on the bird, who went steadily on her way, until she arrived at the nest she intended 

 to show, regardless of the Pigs. I have other reasons for not believing the story. Why should the 

 Honey Guide waste her time in leading people to Leopards, Jackals, Wolves, and so forth 1 These 

 creatures are not her natural enemies ; she would gain nothing by doing" it no advantage whatever ; 

 and I have ever found that in nature there is nothing done in vain, or in an empty, purposeless 

 manner. There is always a reason for the peculiar habits and actions of birds and animals of all 

 kinds ; and therefore, why should a bird which does not even rear her own young, and has not the 

 care of a nest, fear or care about these animals ? Why should the Honey Guide, unlike all animals, 

 do this thing without any reason for doing it 1 And again, when the bird has arrived at the nest she 

 intends to show, there is an alteration in the notes of her voice. An old bee-hunter knows this in an 

 instant, and knows when he ought to commence searching for the nest. Now, this alteration never 

 takes place when animals of various kinds are startled in passing through the forest while following 

 the bird. Hence I conclude that she does not intend to show where these creatures are, or the 

 alteration in her voice would take place." Some of the Indicators are not of the same use in guiding 

 to Bees' nests, and are consequently held in less repute. They are all birds of similar coloration, being 

 generally of a dull grey, tinged with yellow or olive, and they vary considerably in size, the larger 

 species, such as I. major and 7. sparrmanni, measuring about eight inches in length ; while the smallest 

 species, /. exilis, from the Gaboon, does not exceed four inches. Although coming very close to the 

 Cuckoos in the natural classification, the small bill, the thick-set, stout plumage, and the nine primaries in 

 the wing, in addition to their peculiar habits, easily distinguish the Honey Guides as a separate family. 



THE FOURTH FAMILY OF THE ZYGODACTYLE PICARIAN BIRDS. 

 THE PLANTAIN-EATERS (Musophagidat). 



These may be called a strictly Ethiopian family of birds, every single member being found in 

 Africa, and nowhere else. They have very much the appearance of game-birds, and are all remarkable 

 for their beautiful crests, which they are able to elevate or depress at will. Although belonging to 

 the Scansorial, or climbing birds, they do not always keep their toes in pairs, but being of a lively 

 disposition they hop continually from bough to bough, and the outer toe is seen as often placed in front 

 with the others as it is directed backwards along with the hind toe. With the exception of the Grey 

 Plantain-eaters, all the other species have beaxitiful red primaries ; and the writer was informed by 

 the late African traveller, Jules Yerreaux, that the bird often gets caught in violent showers during 

 the rainy season, when the whole of this brilliant red colour in the wing-feathers gets washed out, and 

 the quills become pinky-white, and after two or three days the colour is renewed, and the wing 

 resumes its former beauty. 



