18 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
with its powerful claws, in order to feast upon the 
honey contained in them. Aware that sun-set is the 
period at which the bees return to their homes, it 
chooses that time for making its observations, which 
are conducted in a very curious manner. Seated upon 
the ground with one of its paws raised so as to shade 
from its eyes the rays of the declining sun, it peers 
cautiously on either side of this singular kind of 
parasol, until it perceives a number of bees flying in 
the same direction. These it carefully marks, and fol- 
lows in their track until it has safely lodged them in 
their nest, which it immediately commences pillaging. 
But if it should happen that, contrary to their usual 
custom, they have built in the hollow of a tree, the 
Ratel being unable to climb, and angry at its disap- 
pointment, wreaks its vengeance upon the senseless 
stock by biting around it; and the Hottentots know 
well that such marks on the trunk of a tree are certain 
indications of a bees' nest being contained within it. 
It is added that the Ratel, as well as the native 
inhabitants of the neighbourhood of the Cape, is some- 
times guided in this search after honey by a little bird, 
the Cuculus Indicator, or Honey-Cuckoo, which it 
seems has sagacity enough to know that both men and 
beasts are fond of the tempting spoil. This little crea- 
ture, although incapable of storming a hive in its own 
person, takes advantage of the propensity which exists 
in others who are better fitted for the task, and invites 
the Hottentot or the Ratel to follow it by a peculiar 
note, which they both equally understand. Having 
thus secured their attention, it flies slowly on before 
them, alternately halting for them to come up with it, 
and then taking another flight, still admonishing them 
by its warning voice, until it arrives at the spot where 
the hidden treasure is deposited. There it suddenly 
