THE THIRD FAMILY OF THE ZYGODACTYLE PICARIAN BIRDS.THE HONEY GUIDES (Indicatoridæ).
HONEY GUIDE. (After Keulemans.)
HONEY GUIDE. (After Keulemans.)
These constitute a small family of Scansorial birds allied to the Cuckoos, and, like the latter, they are parasitic, and lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. Eleven species are known, of which eight are peculiar to Africa, one is found in the Himalaya Mountains, one in the Malayan Peninsula, and one in Borneo. The Asiatic members of the group are extremely rare, and our knowledge of the habits of these birds is derived from a study of the African species: so that it is not yet known whether the Asiatic Honey Guides deserve the name ofIndicator, which is applied to the birds on account of their being “indicators,” or “pointers out,” of Bees’ nests containing honey. Dr. Kirk thus described their habits in the Zambesi district:—“The Honey Guide is found in forests, and often far from water, even during the dry season. On observing a man, it comes fluttering from branch to branch in the neighbouring trees, calling attention. If this be responded to—as the natives do by whistling and starting to their feet—the bird will go in a certain direction, and remain at a little distance, hopping from one tree to another. On being followed, it goes farther; and so it will guide the way to a nest of Bees. When this is reached, it flies about, but no longer guides; and then some knowledge is required to discover the nest, even when pointed out to within a few trees. I have known this bird, if the man, after taking up the direction for a little, then turns away, come back and offer to point out another nest in a different part. But if it does not know of two nests, it will remain behind. The difficulty is that it willpoint to tame Bees in a bark hive as readily as to those in the forest. This is natural, as the Bee is the same; the bark hive—‘Musinga,’ as it is named—being simply fastened up in a tree, and left for the Bees to come to. The object the bird has in view is clearly the young Bees. It will guide to nests having no honey, and seems equally delighted if the comb containing the grubs be torn out, when it is seen pecking at it.” Many of the natives of South Africa believe that the bird will occasionally guide the traveller, through sheer malice, to a Leopard or an Elephant; but on this point there seems some little doubt, to judge from a letter of Mrs. Barber, an accomplished lady and good observer in South Africa:—“What I wrote to you in a former letter is the opinion of many old bee-hunters in this part of the country, who have no faith in the popular belief that leading to the Leopard is done on purpose. My nine brothers, who were all brought up in this country, were all of them great hunters, as well as sportsmen; and during all the years of their experience, while they were living at Tharfield, where Bees’ nests were exceedingly plentiful, and where they were constantly in the habit of following these birds, never once did the Honey Guide ever lead thempurposelyto any noxious animal. Many times, in following the bird through dense woods, have they started various kinds of creatures; but if they did not neglect the bird for the purpose of hunting, she would continue her flight towards the Bees’ nest, regardless of the startled animals. One of my brothers once, while following a Honey Guide through a dense forest near the Kowie, passed directly through a drove of wild Pigs. They were, of course, more frightened than he was, and rushed about in every direction; but my brother knowing the popular belief, and wishing to test it, took not the slightest notice of the wild Pigs, but passed on, keeping his eye on the bird, who went steadily on her way, until she arrived at the nest she intended to show, regardless of the Pigs. I have other reasons for not believing the story. Why should the Honey Guide waste her time in leading people to Leopards, Jackals, Wolves, and so forth? These creatures are not her natural enemies; she would gain nothing by doing it—no advantage whatever; and I have ever found that in nature there is nothing done in vain, or in an empty, purposeless manner. There is always a reason for the peculiar habits and actions of birds and animals of all kinds; and therefore, why should a bird which does not even rear her own young, and has not the care of a nest, fear or care about these animals? Why should the Honey Guide, unlike all animals, do this thing without any reason for doing it? And again, when the bird has arrived at the nest she intends to show, there is an alteration in the notes of her voice. An old bee-hunter knows this in an instant, and knows when he ought to commence searching for the nest. Now, this alteration never takes place when animals of various kinds are startled in passing through the forest while following the bird. Hence I conclude that she does not intend to show where these creatures are, or the alteration in her voice would take place.” Some of the Indicators are not of the same use in guiding to Bees’ nests, and are consequently held in less repute. They are all birds of similar coloration, being generally of a dull grey, tinged with yellow or olive, and they vary considerably in size, the larger species, such asI. majorandI. sparrmanni, measuring about eight inches in length; while the smallest species,I. exilis, from the Gaboon, does not exceed four inches. Although coming very close to the Cuckoos in the natural classification, the small bill, the thick-set, stout plumage, and the nine primaries in the wing, in addition to their peculiar habits, easily distinguish the Honey Guides as a separate family.