cuckow. 327 



store, which the hunters take, and leave their guide a portion for 

 its pains. Dr. Sparrman assured me, that he has several times been 

 at the taking the wild bees in this manner, but could only obtain 

 two female birds, from which the description was taken ; he added, 

 that this bird is held in great veneration by the Hottentots, and that 

 the killing one was much resented by these people. We are likewise 

 told, that theRatel* (a species of weasel) profits equallyby the Honey 

 Cuckow, watching its motions on all occasions; when, if the bird 

 directs him to that which is collected under ground, it is enabled to 

 get it sufficiently easy ; on the contrary, if the bees nest is in a tree, 

 the disappointed animal, unable to get up to it, begins to gnaw the 

 tree at bottom, whereby the Hottentots have a second method of 

 discovering such as contain honey ; for they have yet to learn the 

 mode of collecting it by means of artificial hives ; but that it may be 

 done, was instanced in a colonist, who used to set out empty chests, 

 and boxes, into which the wild swarms would frequently enter ; and 

 there can be no doubt, that hives might be used there with the same 

 advantage as in other countries. M. Levaillant observes, that in 

 opening the stomach of one, nothing was found but wax and honey, 

 not a vestige of any insect ; that the skin was so thick, as when fresh, 

 it was scarcely to be pierced with a pin ; a wise provision against the 

 stings of the insects he is destined to encounter. 



This bird is probably the Gnat Snapper of Kolben,f of which 

 he says, the note is not so fine as that of a Titmouse, but that it is a 

 guide to the Hottentots, by directing them to the honey, which the 

 bees lay up in the clefts of rocks. 



* Viverra Rate], Sparrm. Voy. ii. pi. 4. Hist, Quadr. ii. p. 66. 

 t Hist. Cape, 8vo. ii. 154. pi. 7. f. 1. 



