Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1907-11-30
HONEY GUIDES.
African Birds That Lead Men to the
Nests OF Bees.

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 as 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
'Lobo's Travels In Abyssinia,' publish
ed by lie Grand in 172s. The moroc
or honey bird says this arthor. IS
.ss T-ssa :; ;::i.: ..:.s.s: G. zee
ulty Of discovering honey. When the
moroc has discovered any honey he re-
pairs Immediately to the roadside and
when be sees a traveller sings and
claps his wings. making many mo-
tons to invite him to follow him. and
when he pereeiyes 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
cakes the honey without falling to
leave part OF it for the bird to reward
him for his information Sparrman.
who Travelled at the Cape in 1T75-76
gives also a 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 well
aware Of this fact, and if they reward
the honey guide, which they usually
do to some grudging extent, break of
for it piece of the comb in which the
grubs are Matching. Sparrman has
curious note upon this detail. He says.
4 was informed by my boshiesmen
(bushmen), as well as by the colonists.
that man who makes it his constant
business to go after the bees should
not at first be too grateful and gener-
Gus to this ofIlcious 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 more liberal reward to discover
another swarm of bees
when it desires TO feed upon some
comb which it has discovered it makes
its way to a human being, futters
about restlessly and hops from branch
to branch or from bush to bush or
from one ant hill TO another until it
succeeds in attracting the mans atten-
ton. During this time it utters a shrill
cry of 'eherr, cherrr frequently re-
peated. If the man is a native who
understands its habits and is willing
to follow it he often gives g soft,
/ soothing whistle and, taking with him
| a Ratchet, accepts the restless little
| creatures guidance. The honey guide
now goes ON ahead, never keeping very
J far away and always jealousy notie-
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 ard rife the comb the bird still
futters about. chipping. When the bust
ness is concluded and the men depart
the honey guide descends from its
perch and helps itself to as much of
| the larvae as it can find
when thus following honey guide
the native goes, as a rule. very quietly.
taking care not to frighten his small
adviser. II the man by reason Of bush
! or other obstacle travels, in the birds
| opinion, too slowly it viii repeatedly
come back to him. fly closely and an
| grily about him and with restless twit-
tiers and evident Impotence urge upon
him the necessity of hurrying up