Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A bird which feeds on the sweets of flowers; one of the Nectariniidœ or Meliphagidœ; a honey-sucker.
  • noun Same as honey-guide.
  • noun A bee.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The honey-bird is very frequent in these forests of Ukonongo.

    How I Found Livingstone Henry Morton 2004

  • The tiny perpusilla started up like rabbits from me as I stole along through the underbrush; the honey-bird hopped from tree to tree chirping its call, as if it thought I was seeking the little sweet treasure, the hiding-place of which it only knew; but no! I neither desired perpusilla nor the honey.

    How I Found Livingstone Henry Morton 2004

  • As soon as the honey-bird descries the traveller, he immediately utters a series of wild, excited cries, hops about from twig to twig, and from branch to branch, then hops to another tree, incessantly repeating his chirruping call.

    How I Found Livingstone Henry Morton 2004

  • Buffon has repeated what a traveller had related, namely, that the honey-bird is a little traitor who conducts men into ambuscades prepared by wild beasts.

    First footsteps in East Africa 2003

  • When the honey-bird has shown one tree, if the hunters are satisfied with that, and refuse to follow him further, he leaves them; but I have never heard of an instance in which the bird misled any one in regard to finding honey.

    Golden Days for Boys and Girls Volume VIII, No 25: May 21, 1887 Various

  • If the distance is great (and sometimes the honey-bird will lead a person who is willing to follow a distance of ten miles); he will wait on a tree until the follower comes up, and will then continue his business of piloting.

    Golden Days for Boys and Girls Volume VIII, No 25: May 21, 1887 Various

  • "What's gone?" asked Aunt Kate, and Uncle Henry added: "What's happened to you, honey-bird?"

    Nan Sherwood at Pine Camp or, the Old Lumberman's Secret Annie Roe Carr

  • As we were lying under a tree, a honey-bird settled close to us.

    On Commando Dietlof Van Warmelo 1919

  • At Krokodil River I had the privilege of seeing how a honey-bird takes a human being to a bees 'nest.

    On Commando Dietlof Van Warmelo 1919

  • "Come with me, my honey-bird!" cried a third, plucking at the girl's mantle.

    The White Company Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902

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