276 
ON SAFARI 
strange or suspect object—that actuates most of the 
birds above mentioned to make nuisances of themselves. 
The honey-guide, as explained, has a clear and definite 
aim in so doing; while the shrikes may also, as sug¬ 
gested, have an intelligent motive. But with the rest 
it is merely the “ mobbing ” instinct. That impulse is 
all the greater when—probably for the first time in 
their lives—such birds as touracos, plovers, rollers and 
the rest observe large creatures like human beings 
prone on earth and advancing with secret serpentine 
movement—naturally they sound the alarm. 
Bird-nuisances may thus be divided into three 
classes, to wit: (1) Those whose interference is purely 
accidental, such as the francolins, guinea-fowls, etc.; (2) 
those which offend from sheer “ cussedness,” such as 
plovers, louries, rollers and that ilk; while (3) the 
honey-guides, and possibly also the shrikes, can boast 
a clear and intelligent reason for their (nevertheless) 
untimely solicitations. 
TURACUS CORYTHAIX. 
