his Journey into Africa. 45 
it is obliged to commit a fecond treafo'n, by difcovering 
another bees-neft, in hopes of a better falary. It is fur- 
ther obferved, that the nearer the bird approaches the 
hidden hive, the more frequently it repeats its call, and 
feems more impatient. 
I have had frequent opportunities of feeing this bird, 
and have been witnefs of the defirudtion of feveral re- 
publicks of bees, by means of its treachery. I had 
however but two opportunities of fhooting it, which I 
did to the great indignation of my Hottentots. From 
thole fpecimens (both of which are fuppofed to be 
females) I have made the fubfequent defcription. The 
inhabitants in general aceufe the fame bird of feme- 
times conducting its followers where wild beads and ve- 
nomous ferpents have their places of abode : this however 
I never had an opportunity of afcertaining myfelf ; but 
am apt to believe fuch cafes to be accidental, when dan- 
gerous animals happen to be in the neighbourhood of a 
bees-neft; 
Whilft I ftald in the interior parts of Africa, a neft 
was fhewn to me, which feme' peafants allured me was 
the neft of a Honey-guide. It was woven of llender fila- 
ments or fibres of bark, in the form of a bottle. The neck 
and opening hung downwards, and a firing in an arched 
fhape 
