When the daisy decks the village-green,
And the early primrose-flowers are seen ;
When the forest-buds begin to swell,
And the violets spring in the sheltered dell.

Cu ckoo ! cuckoo! cuckoo! I cry,
And the children hear me joyfully;

As with laugh and bound they hasten out,
The valley rings with their merry shout.
Gleeful and gladly they frolic along,
And cheerily mock the cuckoo's song.
Cuckoo! cuckoo! cuckoo! they cry:
They are light of heart, and so am I.

ORDER SCANSORES.

Honey-Cuckoo.

Cuculus Indicator.

THE indicators are species of cuckoo found in Africa, and celebrated for feeding on honey. They serve as guides in the discovery of the hives of wild honey. Among these, one of whose habits the most minute details have been given, is the honey-cuckoo. This bird is found in various parts of Africa; and its favourite food is honey, and the larva of bees. On these delicacies, however, it cannot regale; until the bee's

nest has been opened, either by man or some animal stronger than itself. Nature has endowed it with so keen a scent for honey, that it can discover the nests of the wild bees, however carefully they may be concealed. Thus gifted, the indicator threads the mazes of the forest, and traces the wild bee to its home; acting as a guide both to man and a quadruped called the ratel, leading them with the utmost accuracy to the spot where the nectareous hoard is deposited. Its mode of communicating the discovery it has made, as related by Vaillant, is truly wonderful. Morning and evening are its principal mealtimes. It is then that it usually comes forth, and uttering its cry of cheer, cheer, cheer, seems to invite the honey-hunters to follow him through the pathless wilderness. This signal is gladly hailed by the natives, or colonists, who may chance to hear it; and some person usually repairs to the spot whence the sound proceeds. The bird watches the approach of the hunter, and then flies slowly towards the quarter where the bee's-nest is to be found, continually repeating his

cry of cheer, cheer, cheer. The hunter carefully follows his little guide, occasionally answering his call by a low, gentle whistle. As they draw nearer to the nest, the bird reiterates his cry with greater earnestness and frequency, as if

:

impatient of delay. Sometimes, in his eagerness to reach the point of attraction, he outstrips the speed of the hunters, and leaves them far behind then turning back, he flies to meet them, and seems, by his redoubled cries, as if he would upbraid them for the tardiness of their movements, and urge them to proceed with greater rapidity. Arrived at the nest, the little bird stays his flight, and pausing, with outspread wing, hovers over the spot for a few seconds, long enough to indicate it to his followers: then flying to a neighbouring tree or bush, he conceals himself in the foliage, and patiently waits for his share of the booty, which the hunters do not fail to leave for one who has proved himself so much their benefactor.

These birds are considered so valuable by the inhabitants, that they will not permit any of them to be destroyed.

THE HONEY-BIRD'S SONG.

Give heed, give heed to the honey-bird's song,
With my cheer, cheer, cheer, the wild woods among;
Tho' far in the forest perchance I may fly,
The hunter of honey must follow my cry,
Till in clefted rocks, or in hollow trees,
I find out the stores of the forest-bees.

Give heed to my notes, so shrill and clear:
Come follow the honey-bird, cheer, cheer, cheer.

is long;

Oh! linger not, hunters, the way
Come follow me swiftly the woods among:
Wherever the golden honey is stored,

I will guide your steps to the secret hoard;
For the wild bee's path through the sky I can trace,
And I follow the flight of their airy race.

Give heed to my notes, so shrill and clear:
Come follow the honey-bird, cheer, cheer, cheer.

And now let the foot of the hunter rest,
For we pause at last by the wild bee's nest.
Lo! here is honey enough and to spare:
Then refuse not your winged guide his share.
So the signal cry of your herald-bird,
Morning and evening shall duly be heard.

Give heed to my note, so shrill and clear :
Come follow the honey-bird, cheer, cheer, cheer.

176

CHAPTER III.

THE FOURTH ORDER.

GALLINE.

The Gallinaceous birds are so named from their affinity to the domestic cock.

This order is composed chiefly of a very natural family, remarkable for having furnished us with the most part of our domestic poultry, and with some excellent game.--Cuvier.

ORDER GALLINÆ.

The Ring-dove. Cushat.

Columba Palumbus.

THIS is the largest of the pigeon, or dove tribe. It is seventeen inches in length. It inhabits woods and forests, and selects the highest trees for its abode. It is so shy and retired a bird,