GREAT HONEY GUIDE .— Indicator Major. 
The Honey Guides derive their name from the fact that they are extremely 
fond of wild bees and their honey, and by their eager cries attract keen-eared 
and sharp-eyed hunters to the spoil. It has been said that the birds intentionally 
ask the aid of mankind to dig out the nest where they commonly are placed in 
too secure a spot, and that they utter their peculiar cry of “ clierr ! cherr !” to 
call attention, and then precede their human assistants to the nest, fluttering 
their wings, and keeping a few yards in advance. That they do lead travellers 
to the bees’ nest is true enough, but that they should seek out human beings, 
and intentionally bring them lo the sweet stores seems doubtful, though it has 
been affirmed by many travellers. - 
One thing is certain, that the Honey Guide is by no means a safe conductor, 
as it sometimes leads its follower to the couching place of a lion, tiger, or the 
retreat of a poisonous snake. Gordon Gumming, as well as other travellers, 
testifies to this curious mode of conduct. 
The feathers of the Honey Guide are thick, and the skin is tougher than is 
usually the case with birds, so that if the irritated bees should attack them, little 
harm is done, unless a sting should penetrate the eye or the bare skin around it. 
Honey Guides are found in various parts of Africa, India, and Borneo, and in 
all cases their habits seem to be very similar. 
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