in the Order Strepitores. 595 



neral, or when unexcited, this large and conspicuous orna- 

 ment falls back closed, as in the sulphur-crested cockatoo. 



On beholding" six of these birds, confined in a very roomy 

 cage, I was particularly struck with their vivacity, and quick 

 and expressive physiognomy : and a scene not a little amus- 

 ing was exhibited on holding to them a morsel of meat : in 

 a moment they all crowded eagerly to seize it, uttering a 

 wheezing cry, and following my hand with rapidity about the 

 cage; one or two of them sometimes clinging to the wires: 

 and when at Jength two or three pieces were given to them, 

 the scramble, although they could not have been very hungry, 

 and subsequent struggle for possession, was maintained with 

 a pertinacity that was truly surprising : two might be seen 

 tugging with might and main at the same morsel, till wearied 

 with repeated efforts they would give over for a while, still 

 retaining, however, their hold, to renew the contest after an 

 interval of rest ; and it was not unusual, on such occasions, 

 for a third individual, generally a smaller and weaker bird, to 

 quietly watch the issue of the contest, when it would endea- 

 vour to deprive the victor of its prize. Certainly, I never saw 

 birds struggle so vigorously before, nor pull with such deter- 

 mined force and energy, tumbling over not unfrequently from 

 the violence of their efforts. 



Bechstein relates, of the European species, that (in Thu- 

 ringia) — "it may be continually seen in fields, searching for 

 its favourite insects among cow-dung and the droppings of 

 other animals. It remains, during summer, in woods near 

 meadows, and pasture land. In the middle of August, after 

 hay -harvest, it goes in flocks into the plains : it departs in 

 September, and does not return till the end of the following 

 April." 



The flight of the hoopoe is undulatory, and capable of very 

 considerable protraction. The Bishop of Norwich relates, 

 that — " one approached a vessel in the middle of the Atlantic, 

 and kept company with it a good way, but did not settle on 

 board, which it would probably have done had it been tired."* 

 An individual occurred on one of the Scilly islands in Janu- 

 ary, during the winter before last. 



It nestles by choice in the hollows of decayed trees, (like 

 the hornbill), and only when such situations cannot be ob- 

 tained, in the crevices of walls and rocks ; collecting a rude 

 nest, composed generally of dry cow- dung, mingled with fi- 

 brous roots and lined with any sort of soft material : the eggs 

 are from two to five in number, of a greyish white, sometimes 



* Stanley's 'Familiar History of Birds,' ii. 69. 



