BIG GAME AND ITS BIRD-PROTECTORS 271 
purpose perfectly. Lastly, it should be added that these 
vicious hooks are cast so soon as the young honey-guide 
attains maturity. 
On the whole, it will be apparent from this short 
life-story of the honey-guide that that insignificant¬ 
looking little creature possesses, in fact, one of the most 
forceful and vigorous personalities in the feathered 
world. All this, however, is rather a digression. 
“go-’way birds” (Turacus corythaix). 
Great loose fluffy things with huge mop-heads and no beaks*! 
Next in order, having regard to the mischief wrought, 
come the touracos or plantain-eaters ( Musophagiclce ), 
commonly called “ louries ” in the Transvaal—and 
some species of which are also abundant on the Laikipia 
and high plateaux of East Africa. These are large birds 
of very extraordinary appearance, with huge head-tufts 
that almost conceal the short pigeon-like beak, loose 
fluffy plumage, and long flirting tails. They abound on 
the bush-veld of the Transvaal, two species in particular 
—the grey loury (Turacus concolor), whose note is a 
