134 



HONEY-GUIDE. 



being whetted by this parsimony, he is obliged 

 to commit a second treason, by discovering an- 

 other bees' nest, in hopes of a better salary. It 

 is further observed that the nearer the bird ap- 

 proaches the hidden hive the more frequently it 

 repeats its call, and seems the more impatient. 

 I have had frequent opportunities of seeing this 

 bird, and have been witness to the destruction of 

 several republics of bees by means of its treachery. 

 I had, however, but two opportunities of shoot- 

 ing it, which I did to the great indignation of my 

 Hottentots." 



A nest that was shewn to Dr. Sparrman, as be- 

 longing to this bird, was composed of slender fila- 

 ments of bark woven together in the form of a 

 bottle ; the neck and opening hung downwards, 

 and a string in an arched shape was suspended 

 across the opening fastened by the two ends, per- 

 haps for the birds to perch on : it is said to be 

 constructed in the hollow of trees, which the bird 

 climbs like a Woodpecker ; it hatches its own 

 eggs, in which it differs from the Cuckows. 



Though Dr. Sparrman asserts that he was fre- 

 quently eyewitness of the above circumstance re- 

 lating to the economy of these birds, yet he is dis- 

 credited by Le Vaillant, who even doubts if Sparr- 

 man ever saw the bird ; he says the account is 

 merely a repetition of a fable that is known and be- 

 lieved by the credulous people of the Cape, as in his 

 travels he never observed any part of Sparrman's 

 statement to be correct : in another place he says it 

 is certain that the note of the Honey-guide when in 



