INDICATOR

(Lat. indico.) A genus of birds belonging to the cuckoo tribe {Cuculidce), characterized by a straight finch like bill, with compre ed sides and a triangular base, the culmen and gonys being equally inclined towards the tip, and the gonys angulated; wings lengthened, pointed; tail moderate, rounded; feet short; middle toe much longer than the tarsus. The species of Indicator are remarkable for their habit of indicating the nests of bees, and of guiding men to them by their motions and cries; whence both their scientific name and common appellation of honejguides. Indica'tor. a muscle of the lower part of the forearm which extends the fore finger. [s. 608]