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THE

INDICATOR:

A MISCELLANY FOR THE FIELDS AND
THE FIRESIDE.

BY LEIGH HUNT.

IN TWO PARTS.

PART II.

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION.

NEW-YORK:

WILEY AND PUTNAM, 161 BROADWAY.

1845.

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THE INDICATOR.

THERE is a bird in the interior of Africa, whose habits would rather seem to belong to the interior of Fairy-land; but they have been well authenticated. It indicates to honey-hunters, where the nests of wild bees are to be found. It calls them with a cheerful cry, which they answer; and on finding itself recognized, flies and hovers over a hollow tree containing the honey. While they are occupied in collecting it, the bird goes to a little distance, where he observes all that passes; and the hunters, when they have helped themselves, take care to leave him his portion of the food.-This is the CUCULUS INDICATOR of Linnæus, otherwise called the Moroc, Bee Cuckoo, or Honey Bird.

There he arriving, round about doth flie,
And takes survey with busie, curious eye:
Now this, now that, he tasteth tenderly.-SPENSER.

CHAPTER XLI.

A word or two more on Sticks.

A CORRESPONDENT, writing to us on this subject, says:— "In my day I have indulged an extravagant fancy for canes and sticks; but, like the children of the fashionable world, I have, in running the round, grown tired of all my favorites, except one of a plain and useful sort. Conceive my mortification in finding this my last prop not included in your catalogue of sticks most in use; especially since it has become, among us men of sticks, the description most approved. The present day, which is one of mimicry, boasts scarcely any protection in the very stick I allude to; and yet, because it is so unpresuming in its appearance, and so cheap, the gentlemen 'of a day' will not condescend to use it. We, Sir, who make a stick our constant companion (notwithstanding our motives may be misunderstood),

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