CHAPTER V WILD LIFE AMONGST BEASTIES In the Sudan, as in Rhodesia, the honey-indicator exercises its profession of utihzing mankind for the exploitation of a previously acquired knowledge of a bees' nest. Community of interest is not often found between birds and men, and that this community should be initiated by the bird is strange indeed. The elephant or buffalo hunter knows to his cost the perfect understanding between the giant and his white-feathered companion, who, sitting on his back, keeps one eye on the ticks that infest his host, and an equally sharp one on any unfriendly approach.

Cut the action of the honey-guide goes a step farther ; its motive is not merely to give passive warning, but is an active request and inducement to a human being to perform a certain specific deed —to follow its direction and take the honey it has discovered.

No one can sit in camp in the daylight without being struck by the daring of the kites or buzzards. They will dash in amongst one's belongings, snatching at any scrap of food, and whirling away again to 88