in the Order Strepitores. 597 



inclination might be towards them, that they might act accord- 

 ingly." This capability of attachment is fully corroborated 

 by the personal observation of Buffon. "I once saw," relates 

 that naturalist, " one of these birds that had been taken in a 

 net, and being then old, or at least adult, must have acquired 

 its natural habits : its attachment to the person who took care 

 of it was very strong, and even exclusive. It appeared to be 

 happy only when along with her ; if strangers came unexpec- 

 tedly, it raised its crest with surprise and fear, and hid itself 

 on the top of a bed which was in the room. After a while, it 

 was sometimes bold enough to come from its asylum ; but it 

 flew directly to its mistress, and seemed to perceive no one 

 but her. It had two very different tones : one soft; as if from 

 within, which it addressed to its mistress; the other sharp, 

 and more piercing, which expressed anger and fear. It was 

 never kept in a cage by day or night, and was suffered to range 

 the house at pleasure : yet, though the windows were often 

 open, it never showed the least desire to escape, its wish for 

 liberty being less strong than its attachment." Bechstein re- 

 marks, that, " in a captive state, the droll actions of the hoo- 

 poe are very amusing : for instance, it makes a continual mo- 

 tion with its head, tapping the floor with its beak as if walk- 

 ing with a stick, at the same time shaking its crest, wings, 

 and tail. When any one looks steadfastly at them, they im- 

 mediately begin to act thus." 



The hoopoes which I saw alive exhibited nothing extraor- 

 dinary in their deportment : but they were young birds, though 

 old enough to shift for themselves in a state of nature. How- 

 ever, I have sufficient confidence in the veracity of Bechstein, 

 from personal knowledge of the accuracy of all that he relates 

 of numerous other species, to refrain from expressing any scep- 

 ticism on the present occasion : it is true that he often de- 

 scends to frivolous minutiae and twaddle, characteristic of the 

 bird-fancier ; but whatever he affirms, on his own personal 

 testimony, may, I have reason to think, be implicitly relied on. 



The hoopoe is by no means so difficult to maintain in 

 health in captivity as has been generally stated. The Earl 

 of Derby has possessed living specimens for some years ; a 

 pair of which built and incubated last season, but with what 

 result I have not yet been informed. It is to be regretted that 

 the cupidity of collectors prevents this interesting species from 

 effecting a permanent settlement in the British islands, which 

 it would certainly do, if allowed to breed unmolested ; for 

 specimens are obtained every season in different parts of the 

 country, and some few cases have occurred of their multiply- 

 ing in the southern counties. The geographic range of the 



