The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-10-31
HONEY GUIDES.
African Birds That Lead Men to the
Nests of Bees.


For many ages" says a writer, the
small birds which are known in Afri-
ca rs honey guides have been in the
habit of leading human beings to the
nests of bees. The first notice of the
kind Of which l have knowledge is in
'Lobos Travels In Abyssinia.' publish
ed by LIE Grand in 112S The moroc
or honey bird says this author. is
endued with peculiar instinct or fac
ulty Of discovering honey. When the
moroc has discovered any honey he re-
pairs Immediately to the roadside and
when he sees traveller sings and
claps his wings, making many mo-
tons to invite him to follow him, and
when he perceives his coming flies be-
fore him from tree to tree till he comes
to the place where the bees have stor-
ed their treasure and then begins to
sing melodiously. The Abyssinian
takes the honey without failing to
leave part of it for the bird to reward
him for his information Sparrman,
vho Travelled at the Cape in 1775-T6,
gives also very good description of
the bird as observed in the southern
part Of the continent
THE honey guides lead human be-
ings to the nests of wild bees not SO
much for the honey as for the grubs
or larvae found within the comb. The
natives are for the most part we'll
aware of this fact, and IL they reward
the honey guide, which they usually
do to some grudging extent, break off
for 1t piece of the comb in which the
grubs are Matching. Sparrman has a
curious note upon this detail. He says
1 was Informed by my Businessmen
(bushmen), as well as by the colonists.
that a man who makes it his constant
business to go after the bees should
not at first be too grateful and gener-
Gus to this officious bird but leave for
it only just as much as will serve to
stimulate its appetite, by which means
1t viii be induced in hopes of obtain
ing a more liberal reward to discover
another swarm of bees
when Il desires to feed upon some
comb which it has discovered 1t makes
its way to human being. flutters
about restlessly and hops from branch
to branch or from bush to bush or
from one ant hill to another until 1t
succeeds in attracting the mans atten-
ton. During this time 1t utters a shrill
cry of 'cherr, cherrv frequently re-
peated. If the man is native who
understands it's habits and is willing
to follow it he often gives a soft,
soothing whistle and, taking with him
Ratchet. accepts the restless little
creatures guidance. The honey guide
now goes on ahead, never keeping very
far away and always jealousy motto
ing whether the man Is really follow
ing. At length the honey nest is reach
ed and the birds object accomplished.
While the native or natives attack the
nest and rife the comb the bird still
ness is concluded and the men depart
the honey guide descends from it's
perch and helps itself to as much of
the larvae as 1t can find.
when thus following a honey guide
the native goes, as a rule, very quietly,
taking care not to brighten his small
adviser. If the man by reason of bush
or other obstacle travels, in the birds
opinion, too slowly 1t will repeatedly
come back to him, fly closely and an
grily about him and with restless twit-
tiers and evident impatience urge upon
him the necessity of hurrying up