CHAP. XVIII. 
THE HONEY-BIRD. 
167 
swarm away from the honeycomb. The Rattle will 
then take out the honeycombs one at a time, and 
carry them sixty or eighty yards from the hive, to 
prevent the bees from settling upon them, placing the 
combs one upon the other. 
The native c herds ’ often come upon this animal 
while taking out a bees’ nest and rob the store of honey 
which has been carried away from the hive; but woe 
betide the man unless he is well armed, for the Rattle 
will at once on his return to the place detect the 
the robbery, make a 6 cast’ round the spot, take up the 
spoor or track, and follow and attack the robber, who 
with his ordinary stick has but a poor chance. 
The Rattle is not a large animal, but it is very 
tough and tenacious of life, nor can you kill it by 
beating it with sticks. The 4 herds ’ are generally naked 
savages, without boots or shoes to protect their feet 
and legs, and the Rattle invariably attacks the heel at 
the tendon Achilles ; but as this animal is very short¬ 
legged the Bushman or Kafir takes refuge on the top 
of an anthill and belabours the little beast from above. 
He may nevertheless be kept for some hours in this 
position, not daring to leave the elevated mound. The 
skin of this animal is so tough and thick that an 
ordinary assaigai will not penetrate it. 
