Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A non-passerine African bird of the family Indicatoridœ, supposed to guide the honey-hunters to their spoil; an indicator. Also called
honey-bird . - noun In botany, a marking or a streak of nectar or honey in a flower serving to guide the insect to the nectary.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Then we have the loud cry of francolins, the “pumpuru, pumpuru” of turtle-doves, and the “chiken, chiken, chik, churr, churr” of the honey-guide.
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After having ascertained this, we never attended the call of the honey-guide, for we were sure it would only lead us to a hive which we had no right to touch.
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Has this peculiar habit of the honey-guide its origin, as the attachment of dogs, in friendship for man, or in love for the sweet pickings of the plunder left on the ground?
A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries 2004
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We remained near a small hill, called Maundo, where we began to be frequently invited by the honey-guide
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The honey-guide is an extraordinary bird; how is it that every member of its family has learned that all men, white or black, are fond of honey?
A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries 2004
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Two men who accompanied our guide called out every now and then to attract the attention of the honey-guide, but none appeared.
The Last Journals of David Livingstone from 1865 to His Death Ed 1874
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In apt illustration of Sprengel's theory of the "path-finder" or honey-guide, the insect does not alight at the centre of the flower, but upon one of the three large drooping sepals, whose veins, converging to the narrow trough above, indicate the path to the nectar.
My Studio Neighbors William Hamilton Gibson 1873
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The boys were certain that this was not the animal that had charged them out upon the grass plain, and proof of this was found one day when, in company with their father, the boys were following a honey-guide.
Off to the Wilds Being the Adventures of Two Brothers George Manville Fenn 1870
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"It's the honey-guide," cried Dick, watching the twittering little thing as it flew to him and then back, trying hard to draw their attention, and to get them to follow it.
Off to the Wilds Being the Adventures of Two Brothers George Manville Fenn 1870
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"You boys must be on the look out for the honey-guide."
Off to the Wilds Being the Adventures of Two Brothers George Manville Fenn 1870
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